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Hunt for Coyote Continues (Update)

One Animal Confirmed Killed

By Michael P. Neufeld
Saturday, May 10, 2008

Update — Saturday 4:50 a.m.

Lake Arrowhead, CA — California Department of Fish and Game representatives have now confirmed that at least one coyote has been killed following the attack on a 2-year-old girl last week.

While unable to determine if the coyote killed Thursday was involved in the attack on the Lake Arrowhead girl, officials did explain the search for additional coyotes continues.

Meanwhile, reports of additional problems with coyotes have surfaced and authorities are investigating each report.

A source close to the investigation reported one of the incidents under investigation involved two Lake Arrowhead children earlier this year. A 6-year-old boy and 3-year-old girl were reportedly bitten on the buttocks while playing in the snow while the adults were barbecuing a short distance away.

The adults were apparently able to scare the coyote away before seeking treatment of the two children for bite wounds.

Coyote On OldToll (Photo by Chris Lewis.)

Original Story

Lake Arrowhead, CA – California Department of Fish and Game officials continued their search yesterday for the coyote that attacked a two-year-old Lake Arrowhead girl on Tuesday. A series of traps have been set in the area where the incident occurred in the 28700 block of Laurel Drive. However, reports late Thursday indicate no coyotes have been captured to date.

Meanwhile, the young girl, who was released Wednesday afternoon from Loma Linda University Medical Center, is recovering from the bites sustained when the coyote tried to carry her away from her front yard.

"Our daughter," according to a media statement released on the Rowley family's behalf by the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department, "is on the road to recovery. We appreciate all (of) the prayers which have been, or will be, rendered on her behalf as she continues to heal."

San Bernardino County Animal Control employees joined California Department of Fish & Game officials in looking for coyotes in a Lake Arrowhead neighborhood where a 2-year-old girl was attacked. (Photo by Michael P. Neufeld.)

Fish and Game officials have been joined by San Bernardino County Animal Control personnel in trying to track and hunt the coyote and other coyotes roaming the general area where the attack occurred just before noon on Tuesday.

During a media briefing, Fish and Game officials reported just under a dozen traps have been set each night in an effort to snare a coyote in the padded leg holds. The traps have been placed near several residences in the area after officials obtain approval of the property owners.

On Wednesday, one coyote was reportedly able to free itself from a trap as animal control representatives approached the animal.

State and local officials reevaluate the local trapping and hunting efforts each day. Should a coyote be trapped animal control specialists will kill it.

Meanwhile, efforts to capture coyotes near Alterra Park in Chino Hills where a similar attack occurred last week have been terminated.

About eight Citizens on Patrol (COPS) volunteers--including Carrie Nelson--walked Lake Arrowhead neighborhoods in the Palisades Drive area this week distributing information about coyotes after a 2-year-old girl was attacked on Laurel Drive on Tuesday. (Photo by Michael P. Neufeld.)

Homeowners and residents in the area where the Lake Arrowhead girl was attacked have again been cautioned by law enforcement and animal control officials to not feed wild animals and to move food placed for domestic animal inside to reduce the chance a coyote will come into an area in search of food and water.

"We had about eight Citizens on Patrol (COPS) volunteers this week handing out information in the neighborhoods surrounding the site where the young girl was bitten," according to Twin Peaks Sheriff's Department Sergeant Michael O'Brien.

"The loss of habitat caused by the recent Grass Valley and Slide Fires may be contributing to the number of coyotes seen in residential neighborhoods," Sgt. O'Brien told RIMOFTHEWORLD.net. "I also want to caution residents that hunting coyotes is not allowed and the trapping and removal of coyotes should be done by animal control or law enforcement officers."

Animal control officials also advise homeowners to harvest any ripe fruit from trees and plants in their yards because coyotes are omnivores and often utilize those items as a food source.

Fish and Game officials urge individuals who spot an aggressive coyote to call their offices Monday through Friday before 5 p.m. at (909) 484-0617. After hours and weekends individuals should call the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department at (909) 387-8313.

See ATTACK for original story.

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