‘Unusually bold’ coyote killed after repeated attacks on dogs in California, rangers say

A coyote that attacked several dogs and threatened other visitors to Crissy Field in San Francisco has been euthanized, National Park Service rangers reported.

Rangers from the Presidio tried to haze, or scare away, coyotes in the area following reports of attacks on dogs in late September, the agency said in an Oct. 10 news release.

“An individual coyote continued to attack pets, including on-leash dogs, and eventually began to display unusually bold behavior toward people unaccompanied by dogs,” rangers said.

The NPS and the Presidio Trust decided to “lethally remove” the coyote rangers said.

Its DNA matched saliva found on two dogs bitten at Crissy Field, rangers said.

Crissy Field, a former military airfield, is a public recreation area just east of the Golden Gate Bridge, according to the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy.

What to know about coyotes

Coyotes can be found almost anywhere in North America, including in cities and neighborhoods, according to National Geographic.

“Adaptability—that’s the main reason for the success of the coyote. A coyote is naturally adaptable because it eats such a wide range of food,” National Geographic reported. “If it can’t find mice or voles to eat, lizards, insects, or even garbage will do.”

Here’s how experts say you can avoid conflicts with coyotes:

• Don’t feed coyotes: Feeding a coyote in a residential neighborhood can cause the animal to lose its fear of people.

• Don’t let pets run loose: If coyotes live nearby, don’t let pets out without a leash.

• Don’t run from a coyote: Instead, you should shout, wave your arms or throw something in its direction.

• Don’t haze or aggravate a calm coyote: If the animal is avoiding humans and pets, leave it alone.

• Report aggressive coyotes: If the coyote doesn’t show fear toward humans, let wildlife officials know.

This story was originally published October 13, 2024 at 1:20 PM with the headline "‘Unusually bold’ coyote killed after repeated attacks on dogs in California, rangers say."