Eastlake Coyote Watch

Brenda Coughlin, and her husband Matt, two proactive leaders of Eastlake Trails, began compiling data to assist local and state authorities determine the impact coyotes have had on the local community of Eastlake. What they discovered was that their unfortunate loss to their small dog from a coyote attack was not an isolated incident, but a rising problem that many Eastlake residents are concerned with.

Wildlife experts agree that coyotes play an important role in the ecosystem, helping to keep rodent populations under control. However when coyotes are given access to food, their behavior changes. Coyote attacks on humans are rare, and the recent coyote attacks in Eastlake may be indicative of rabid animals and/or wild coyotes being conditioned to human food. Residents should be aware that feeding wild animals is illegal in many communities and when humans feed coyotes, the wild animals lose their natural fear of humans and are more likely to pose a danger to humans.

[Wikipedia] Coyote attacks on humans are uncommon and rarely cause serious injuries…. However, coyote attacks on humans have increased since 1998 in the state of California. Data from USDA Wildlife Services, the California Department of Fish & Game, and other sources show that while 41 attacks occurred during the period of 1988-1997, 48 attacks were verified from 1998 through 2003. The majority of these incidents occurred in Southern California near the suburban-wildland interface.

Below is a summary of the recent attacks in Eastlake.

If you would like to report additional attacks, please call the 911 with an emergency and then contact the USDA Wildlife Service at 858/694-2518.

August 15, 2009
A dog was attacked by a coyote in broad daylight. A passing neighbor chased the coyote in her vehicle until the coyote dropped the dog. The dog has recovered after a critical surgery saved his life.

October 10, 2009
A coyote jumped into the backyard, attacked a dog and tried to escape over the fence. When it could not escape with the dog, the coyote ate the dog in the backyard, leaving a carcass in the backyard.

October 2009.
One man was walking his dog at night and was chased by 3 coyotes. He picked up his small dog and began walking faster to his home. The coyotes were 100 yards behind and started chasing the man and his dog. The coyotes came within 50 yards of the man before the man was able to get into his home.

October 16, 2009
A coyote jumped the fence in a backyard and took a small dog into his mouth. A 17 year old boy in the house picked up his baseball bat and chased the coyote around the backyard before the coyote dropped his prey and escaped by jumping over the fence.

November 8, 2009
Coyote entered garage and attacked resident’s dog. Resident chased the coyote around the garage before the coyote fled.

November 5, 2009
Resident reports seeing coyotes while walking large dog. Coyotes did NOT attack and ran the other way.

November 10, 2009
Eastlake Trails Resident reports a total of 6 coyotes while walking in the morning….the most he’s ever seen.

November 5, 2009
Resident reports spotting coyote approach front porch and reports missing dog. Cannot verify that coyote was culprit.

November 7, 2009
Eastlake Woods. Resident reports coyote enters backyard and ate small dog.

November 14, 2009.
Resident reports seeing coyotes in Rolling Hills Ranch.

November 16, 2009
Small dog was eaten by coyote. Coyote entered backyard at approx. 6:30 AM.

Coyote Prevention Tips: (as taken by CA Department of Fish and Game)

If followed by a coyote, make loud noises. If this fails, throw rocks in the animal’s direction
Be aware that coyotes are more active in the spring, when feeding and protecting their young.
Do not leave small pets or young children outside unattended.
Never feed or try to tame wild coyotes. The results could be deadly conflicts.

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