Coyote responsible for three Irvine attacks euthanized, police said
Nov. 4, 2015 Updated 8:49 p.m.
By IDA MOJADAD / STAFF WRITER
Irvine?s coyote attack problem could be nearing an end after authorities eliminated the main culprit, police announced Wednesday.
California Department of Fish and Wildlife trapped and euthanized a coyote last week that they said was responsible for three of five biting incidents in Irvine?s Portola Springs area since May. Saliva and tissue samples matched the samples of coyotes that were taken from the victims, according to spokeswoman Janice Mackey.
The coyote was cleared of rabies, she added.
The coyote attacks started when one bit a 3-year-old girl on the neck as she was walking with her parents near the intersection of Equinox and Silverado near Silverado Park, according to Fish and Wildlife officials.
This prompted officials to euthanize nine other coyotes, but Mackey said samples from the other victims weren?t viable enough to connect to the coyotes that were killed.
?It?s a challenging issue because we want to address this in the most humane way possible,? Irvine Police Department spokeswoman Farrah Emami said of the attacks. ?It?s resulted in a lot of fear and concern in the community.?
The attack on the 3-year-old set the neighborhood on edge, prompting community meetings and public outreach to deter coyotes. In September, Irvine police started ?high-intensity hazing? by shooting paintballs at coyotes to scare them away from the area.
Emami said police informed the victims that their attacker had been put down.
While Mackey said she now expects a drop in biting occurences, northeast Irvine residents living near coyote habitats should keep pet food and trash secure while keeping an eye on small children.
?Coyotes are wild animals that seek out food, shelter and water,? Mackey said. ?As long as attractants are left out for them, they will frequent neighborhoods.?
Contact the writer: 714-796-7949 or imojadad@ocregister.com
Nov. 4, 2015 Updated 8:49 p.m.
By IDA MOJADAD / STAFF WRITER
Irvine?s coyote attack problem could be nearing an end after authorities eliminated the main culprit, police announced Wednesday.
California Department of Fish and Wildlife trapped and euthanized a coyote last week that they said was responsible for three of five biting incidents in Irvine?s Portola Springs area since May. Saliva and tissue samples matched the samples of coyotes that were taken from the victims, according to spokeswoman Janice Mackey.
The coyote was cleared of rabies, she added.
The coyote attacks started when one bit a 3-year-old girl on the neck as she was walking with her parents near the intersection of Equinox and Silverado near Silverado Park, according to Fish and Wildlife officials.
This prompted officials to euthanize nine other coyotes, but Mackey said samples from the other victims weren?t viable enough to connect to the coyotes that were killed.
?It?s a challenging issue because we want to address this in the most humane way possible,? Irvine Police Department spokeswoman Farrah Emami said of the attacks. ?It?s resulted in a lot of fear and concern in the community.?
The attack on the 3-year-old set the neighborhood on edge, prompting community meetings and public outreach to deter coyotes. In September, Irvine police started ?high-intensity hazing? by shooting paintballs at coyotes to scare them away from the area.
Emami said police informed the victims that their attacker had been put down.
While Mackey said she now expects a drop in biting occurences, northeast Irvine residents living near coyote habitats should keep pet food and trash secure while keeping an eye on small children.
?Coyotes are wild animals that seek out food, shelter and water,? Mackey said. ?As long as attractants are left out for them, they will frequent neighborhoods.?
Contact the writer: 714-796-7949 or imojadad@ocregister.com