Coyote euthanized after biting toddler in Atwater Village

A 16-month-old child was bitten by a coyote in the 3300 block of Glenhurst Avenue in Atwater Village, according to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW). The child was treated at a hospital and later released, CDFW reported.

Wildlife officers responded to the incident on Friday and located a coyote in the area that evening. They trapped and euthanized the animal, though it has not been confirmed if it was the same coyote that bit the child. DNA samples were taken from both the child and the animal to determine this.

Residents in the northeast Los Angeles community reported seeing a coyote nicknamed Wylie in recent months. Some neighbors speculated that people might have been leaving food and water for the animal, potentially attracting it to the area.

In response to the incident, a community meeting was planned for Tuesday to discuss ways to prevent future human-coyote encounters and to ensure the safety of pets. CDFW advises residents to keep a safe distance from coyotes, keep children and pets close, make loud noises if approached, and to fight back if attacked before calling animal control or 911.