State game wardens have been unsuccessful in their efforts to capture a coyote that attacked a Laguna Beach resident on Friday.
A forensic test of the victim’s wound and clothing confirmed it was a coyote that bit the victim, said Capt. Patrick Foy of the California Department of Fish & Wildlife. State game wardens captured two coyotes over the weekend but neither matched the DNA profile of the offending animal.
The Laguna Beach resident was attacked near Oak Street and Temple Terrace on Friday morning. They were transported by Doctor’s Ambulance to a local hospital where they were treated for minor injuries and released shortly after, Laguna Beach Police Sgt. Jim Cota wrote in a text message.
Typically, victims of coyote attacks are immediately administered a post-bite vaccination for rabies, Foy said.
City officials asked residents to be vigilant and alert until the coyote is captured. The U.S. Department of Agriculture is assisting with the search.
“The City would also like to take this opportunity to remind residents of important safeguards to protect themselves and their pets and property from these wild animals,” city officials said in a prepared statement.
Coyotes are most active at dusk and dawn. In urban areas, they are more active at night but can be spotted at any time, according to a city press release.
Laguna Beach Animal Services recommends that pets not be let outside during evening hours unless the owner is next to them to ward off curious coyotes. An animal control officer will respond if a coyote during daylight hours in areas with people, especially children, or anytime one of the animals attacks or exhibits threatening behavior toward a person or pet.
Any way to verify that the attack was an actual coyote? There are TWO HUGE, AGGRESSIVE, unleashed, untrained dogs that reside at the end of the cul-de-sac of Oak beyond Temple Terrace. Perhaps the gentleman was mistaken?
This is an excellent example of why you should be armed if you’re going into areas where wild animals are known to be.
Had the victim been armed, he would not have been bitten and there would be no need for others to worry about any recurrence.
Hi Daniel, I live in Prothero Mobile home park lake forest. We have unpredictable coyotes. We have
recently seen them out in the day. One on a lady’s porch. One in the walkway.1 chasing a cat up onto a porch. 2 years ago a coyote chased a lady with a dog. We live along a drainage area. I saw a state worker chase a coyote around for 1.5 hours here in the park with a loop. What the? Any recommendations please?
I would like very much to know if the victim has to get the series of rabies vaccinations. Some people can get very very sick just from a reaction to the vaccinations.
Ok…so updated info shows that it was indeed a coyote…not unruly dogs that live at the top of Oak.
But I COMPLETELY disagree with R.Mays’ premise to “be armed” and he “would have not been bitten”….Oak and Temple Terrace are residential areas….and the coyote attacked from behind( a visual of a gun wouldn’t deter…) plus firing shots in a neighborhood is NOT the answer. Phew….back to cursing the soggy weather…