A 16-month-old child was injured during an encounter with a coyote in Los Angeles’ Atwater Village neighborhood on Friday, prompting wildlife officers to euthanize an animal in the area that evening while DNA testing remains underway to confirm accountability.
The incident occurred along the 3300 block of Glenhurst Avenue, according to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Officials have released limited details regarding the nature of the encounter, stating only that the toddler was hurt after an incident involving a coyote
and was subsequently treated at a local hospital before being released.
Following the report, wildlife officers returned to the neighborhood on Friday night, located a coyote in the immediate vicinity, and euthanized it. Investigators collected DNA samples from both the young child and the animal to determine whether the trapped creature was responsible for the injuries, as test results remain pending.
Residents Report Months of Unaddressed Warnings on Glenhurst Avenue
For months prior to the attack, neighbors along Glenhurst Avenue had raised alarms with city and state agencies about increasingly brazen animal behavior. Residents reported that a local man had been feeding coyotes in the neighborhood, drawing animals close to homes where they were seen approaching children.
Correspondence reviewed by news outlets indicates that local frustration had been mounting for months. An email sent to city Animal Services on June 19 warned that a coyote had attempted to attack three children riding scooters, cautioning that inaction would lead to someone getting seriously hurt, according to NBC Los Angeles. Animal Services responded at the time by stating that an officer had to witness illegal feeding in person to issue a citation, while advising residents that they had the right to hire a permitted private pest control company.
Other community members noted the heavy local presence of the animals. We’ve run into the coyote maybe a few times a week. Every time we go walking,
said neighborhood resident Libby Stankaitis. Meanwhile, some residents expressed mixed feelings about the lethal removal of urban wildlife. Jacob Wollner told reporters, I think coyotes are doing great in the urban area, and I think it’s sad that we’re putting them down.
Police and Wildlife Officials Investigate the Scene on Glenhurst Avenue
The investigation drew multiple agencies to the residential block on Friday night. Los Angeles Police Department officers responded to the 3300 block of Glenhurst Avenue around 8 p.m. following reports that a coyote had been shot, according to police spokesperson Jeff Lee, who met with a game warden at the location as reported by The Eastsider LA.
State officials reiterate that feeding wildlife is illegal and drives urban wildlife conflicts. Following Friday’s events, community members planned a neighborhood meeting to address the incident and what residents believe needs to change.
Historical Incidents and Safety Guidance Issued by Wildlife Authorities
While human-wildlife encounters remain infrequent, regional incidents highlight ongoing urban overlap along corridors like the Los Angeles River. State wildlife officials note that bolder behavior typically rises during pupping season from spring through fall as adult animals forage actively for their litters. Prior cases in Southern California include a Woodland Hills front-lawn attack in 2022, a biting incident at a baseball field last year, and a Pasadena encounter where a mother and child escaped inside their home.
- Maintain a safe distance and back away slowly without running.
- Keep small children and pets close by at all times.
- Make loud noises—yell, clap, or blow a whistle—and wave arms to appear larger.
- Allow the animal room to leave the immediate area on its own.
- Fight back immediately if physical contact occurs, and call Animal Control or 911.
