Neighbor who fed coyote for months faces reckoning after it mauled toddler in Los Angeles

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A Los Angeles neighbor could soon be punished for repeatedly feeding a coyote that mauled a toddler in a terrifying attack earlier this month.

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife said it launched an investigation into reports of someone illegally feeding the wild animal after a 16-month old was attacked on Oct. 16 in Atwater Village.

“CDFW wildlife officers investigated reports of Atwater Village residents feeding coyotes,” spokesperson Cort Klopping told The Post.

“Wildlife officers made contact with an individual that lives in the area and will be filing a case with the city’s attorney’s office for the illegal feeding of wildlife,” he added.

The agency said there was no further information they could share as the investigation is still ongoing. The illegal feeding of wildlife in Los Angeles carries a misdemeanor charge, if pursued by the city.

Last Friday, CDFW officials responded to the 3300 block of Glenhurst Avenue following the attack on the toddler.

The child was then rushed to a local hospital for treatment and then released.

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.” That same evening, wildlife officers located a coyote in the vicinity and euthanized the animal, according to the department. 

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

“DNA samples that were collected from the victim and the coyote that was taken have been analyzed and have confirmed the coyote that was taken is the offending animal,” according to a CDFW statement, NBC4 News reported.   

The incident 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 wild animal.

“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.

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

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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