Authorities say a resident who fed a coyote in Atwater Village that later bit a toddler and was euthanized could be charged with a criminal offense, according to a report today.
The Los Angeles Times, reported that California Department of Fish and Wildlife officials plan to file the results of their investigation into alleged illegal feeding of wildlife with the Los Angeles City Attorney. CDFW spokesperson Cort Klopping informed the newspaper Wednesday that it was pursuing charges.
The unidentified resident fed the canine for months, according to The Times.
The 16-month-old child was treated at a hospital and released following the attack on Friday in the 3300 block of Glenhurst Avenue.
Game wardens responded and during the evening hours Friday, a coyote was tracked and killed in the same area.
It was later determined to be the same coyote that bit the tot. “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 issued Tuesday that cited an update from the department’s Law Enforcement Division.
Neighbors in the area said a coyote nicknamed Wylie had been seen in the area in recent months, with some speculating that people were leaving food and water for the animal.
Residents said the offending coyote became increasingly bold and one recalled yelling to chase it away from a house, according to The Times, which said that CDFW contacted the resident prior to the incident and again after.
The resident could be charged with a misdemeanor if the city attorney chooses to pursue the case.
Earlier this year, a pack of coyotes literally took over a West Hollywood condominium construction site where work had been stalled for years, making the pine-framed multi-story structure their home before they were driven away and the property was fully fenced.
