SAN FRANCISCO—The California Department of Fish and Wildlife Officials announced on Friday, March 12 that a coyote that attacked 5 people which included a 3-year-old girl, was captured and euthanized. The animal was captured and euthanized on March 11.
Fish and Wildlife Capt. Patrick Foy told the SF Chronicle that the capture and euthanizing occurred very close to one of the attack sites. DNA taken from the animal confirmed that it was the same coyote from the previous attacks that occurred last summer. The process took almost a day.
Prior to the capture, there was a 16-day search for the animal that included setting padded traps with bait. California wildlife officials and the U.S. the Department of Agriculture coordinated with the Lafayette Police Department to help with the search.
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife officials said in a statement:
“It is the sincere hope of the agencies that locals can recreate outdoors in the area again with significantly reduced anxiety and that the community knows that outdoor recreation is still very safe.” Captain Foy also added “No one wants to kill a coyote as part of their job. But now that it’s done, it’s such a huge relief in our community.”
