Toddler attacked by coyote in Los Angeles’ Atwater Village

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A 16-month-old toddler was injured in a terrifying encounter with a coyote in Los Angeles — months after residents raised alarms about an aggressive animal suspected of being fed by a neighbor.

The child was hurt Friday in Atwater Village, prompting California Department of Fish and Wildlife officers to respond to the 3300 block of Glenhurst Avenue.

Officials did not disclose exactly what happened, describing the incident only as one in which a child was injured “after an incident involving a coyote.”

The toddler was rushed to a local hospital for treatment and later released, the department said.

That same evening, wildlife officers located a coyote in the vicinity and euthanized the animal, according to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Investigators collected DNA samples from both the child and the coyote to determine whether the animal was responsible for the attack.

The incident has reignited concerns about coyotes roaming the neighborhood, where residents previously reported troubling encounters with an animal known as “Wiley.”

In August, the coyote was spotted wandering through Atwater Village and was reportedly seen chasing children, raising fears among locals about the animal’s behavior, CBS Los Angeles reported.

Some residents suspected someone in the neighborhood had been feeding the coyote.

“We’ve run into the coyote maybe a few times a week. Every time we go walking,” Libby Stankaitis, a local resident, told CBS Los Angeles.

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife warned residents that feeding wildlife is illegal and urged them to secure their properties and remove anything that could attract coyotes.

But not everyone welcomed the prospect of putting down the animals.

“I think coyotes are doing great in the urban area, and I think it’s sad that we’re putting them down,” Jacob Wollner told the news station.

It remains unclear whether the coyote euthanized Friday was Wiley, the animal that had prompted earlier concerns.

The department has not released further details about the encounter or confirmed whether the DNA testing will link the euthanized coyote to the toddler’s injuries.

Wildlife officials recommend that residents maintain a safe distance from coyotes and slowly back away if they encounter one.

Adults should keep young children and pets close, make loud noises and wave their arms to appear larger if a coyote approaches.

If a coyote makes physical contact, officials advise fighting back and contacting animal control or calling 911.

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