Local & Community
Coyote Attacks On The Rise in Southern California, Humans To Blame
Humans could be to blame for a recent string of coyote attacks on pets and children.
“In almost every case of a coyote or a mountain lion or a bear coming into our homes and our communities, it’s because as humans we are just not doing the job we need to do to discourage those visits,” said Tim Daly, Public Information Officer for California Department of Fish and Wildlife. “Whether it’s pet food or pets or fruits that have fallen from a backyard tree or garbage cans not being as secure as they could be.
As humans expand their living areas and coyotes expand their range, contact is inevitable. Typically, coyotes go out of their way to avoid humans but as they become habituated to us, they’re discovering we are a good source for food.
“When coyotes come into our communities, they’re looking for food,” said Daly. “If they see a small pet or, in some cases, a small child that might resemble what would be considered their prey, they might try to grab.”
Earlier this month, a two-year-old was attacked and dragged by a coyote in front of her home in Los Angeles county. Then on Sunday, two chihuahuas were in the backyard of their Granada Hills home when a pair of coyotes jumped a 6–foot wall and fatally attacked them. Following the attacks, officials are warning people to be more aware of their surroundings and keep a close eye on their pets.
“You want your visibility to be at its best, so get out with your pet during daylight hours. If you must go out after dark, just stay as close as possible as you can to that pet,” said Daly.
Wildlife experts also say small pets should not be left outside alone and their food should not be left out overnight. And for those who think they’re helping by intentionally feeding wild animals…
“They’re not helping anything by doing that,” said Daly. “We ask people who think they may be assisting a wild animal by putting food out, please don’t do that because that just causes return visits and it also attracts other animals as well.”
Officials warn feeding coyotes and other animals eases their natural fear of people and can lead to more dangerous encounters.
“If coyotes can’t find the food – and mountain lions and bears – in communities they come into, they’re going to stop those visits,” said Daly.
If a coyote does come near you…
“What we ask people to do is be as big and as noisy as they possibly can… you don’t want to turn and run,” said Daly. “Be big, make noise, let that animal know you’re there, you’re in charge. Try to hold your ground. Hopefully that animal will feel that it’s not welcome there and will take off.”
By: NBC Palm Springs
December 15, 2022
Latest Instagram Posts
After AB 1145 (also known as Tristin’s Bill) was signed into law, NBC Palm Springs @maria_nvtv is giving more information about the law and what this means for the future of transportation in California #Highway74 #RoadSafety #CoachellaValley #Anza #RiversideCounty
Pregame update from Tim O’Brien ahead of tonight’s preseason matchup between the Coachella Valley Firebirds and the Ontario Reign. Tim has the latest from Acrisure Arena as the Firebirds get set for tonight’s game. UPDATE: Firebirds #CVFirebirds #CoachellaValleyFirebirds #OntarioReign #AHL #Hockey PalmSprings CoachellaValley
Who makes the NBC Top 3, winner will be announced Sunday night on NBC Palm Springs, with the player who makes the number one spot winning a $250 prize from @hondaofthedesert! Comment below if it will be 1) Xzavier Hernandez with the dot towards the back of the endzone, 2) Jesse Rodriguez with the 50 plus yard TD throw, 3) Trace Vargas with the diving TD, 4) Ryan Rumsey with the screen pass TD, making guys miss, or 5) Moyses Aguilar with the pick #fyp #fnl2026 #hondaofthedesert #highschoolfootball #fridaynightlights
Drop your thoughts in the comments 👇 #therogginreport #coachellavalley #localnews #explore #nbcpalmsprings
⚡️ TOP STORY: A man is recovering after he was struck by lightning. Firefighters battled a brush fire along Snow Creek Road, while another lightning strike in Chino Canyon sent a man to the hospital. If you hear thunder, stay indoors for at least 30 minutes after the last rumble. #PalmSprings #Lightning #FireSafety
🚨 Chasing that year-round “summer glow”? A social media tanning trend involving the unapproved peptide melanotan-2 is raising serious safety concerns. Dermatologists say safer sunless tanning options are available. ☀️ #YourHealthToday #SkinHealth #Melanotan2 #TanningSafety
Palm Springs firefighters responded Thursday to a report of a person struck by lightning in the Chino Canyon area. The person was transported to a hospital for medical treatment. Firefighters also responded to a palm tree fire in Chino Canyon that officials say was caused by an apparent lightning strike. NBC Palm Springs News Director David Reese is in the neighborhood tonight knocking on doors and trying to learn more about what happened. Did you see the lightning strike? Did you hear or see anything unusual? Do you know who was struck or have information that could help us understand what happened? We’d like to hear from you. Send us a DM here or contact NBC Palm Springs if you witnessed the incident or have information to share. #PalmSprings #ChinoCanyon #Lightning #PalmSpringsNews #NBCPalmSprings CoachellaValley BreakingNews
Fred Roggin’s response? Show us the receipts! #therogginreport #coachellavalley #localnews #explore #nbcpalmsprings
A $557k budget shortfall … so why do they need $11.3 million in new taxes? Are you voting Yes or No on Measure P? #therogginreport #measurep #localnews #coachellavalley #nbcpalmsprings
School board trustee wears “FAFO” shirt to court deposition. Drop your thoughts in the comments 👇🏽 #therogginreport #coachellavalley #localnews #explore #nbcpalmsprings