Coyote attacks toddler in Los Angeles after months of warnings

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 22 Oct, 21:08 · Archive

A coyote attacked a 16-month-old boy in his backyard in Los Angeles after residents had complained about the animal for nearly a year.

A coyote attacked a 16-month-old boy in the family's backyard in Atwater Village, Los Angeles, on 16 October and followed the child and his mother inside their house. The boy was treated at hospital and released. California Department of Fish and Wildlife officers located and euthanized a coyote in the vicinity that evening. DNA analysis confirmed this was the animal responsible.

Residents had reported concerns about the coyote's presence for nearly a year. Wildlife expert Rebecca Dmytryk filed a formal complaint through the state's wildlife reporting system in late July, stating 'What concerned me was the coyote just being comfortable around people.' The complaint was never answered. Other residents reported the animal to Los Angeles Animal Services after witnessing it chase a cat and scratch at a neighbour's screen door.

California Department of Fish and Wildlife has launched an investigation into reports of someone illegally feeding the coyote. A spokesperson said wildlife officers made contact with an individual in the area and will file a case with the city's attorney's office for illegal feeding of wildlife, which carries a potential misdemeanour charge. The investigation is ongoing and no further details have been disclosed.

How it is being reported

• Neighbor who fed coyote for months faces reckoning after it mauled toddler in Los AngelesA Los Angeles neighbor could soon learn their punishment after allegedly feeding a coyote that mauled a toddler in a terrifying attack earlier this month, officials said.New York Post · 22 Oct, 20:59
• Bungling Los Angeles officials ignored warnings for months before vicious coyote savaged a 16-month-old toddlerThe predator bit the toddler in the family's backyard and even followed the child and his mother inside their house on Friday.Daily Mail · 21 Oct, 02:44

In this story: Los Angeles · Atwater Village · Rebecca Dmytryk · California Department of Fish and Wildlife · Los Angeles Animal Services

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