Los Angeles may be considered an "urban jungle" but a Woodland Hills family is shaken up after their toddler was attacked by a coyote outside their home.
“I heard her screaming and crying and I thought she fell down and I saw the coyote was there,” Ariel Eliyahuo, the toddler’s father, said.
The child’s parents are now concerned not only for their children but for other children in the neighborhood.
The family's Ring doorbell camera captured what happened around 3:45 p.m. Friday.
After Ariel grabbed his daughter and threw a water bottle at the coyote, the child’s mother ran out the front door.
“I saw her pants were stained with blood, then I took them off and noticed they had scratches,” Shira Eliyahuo, the mother, said.
They rushed her to get her help.
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“We had to get a rabies shot and just hope everything is going to be ok,” the mother said.
NBC has chronicled other coyote attacks on children this year.
Officials euthanized the coyote who injured a 2-year-old girl in Fountain Valley, and in Huntington Beach this summer a coyote came out of nowhere one night on the beach and went after another 2-year-old girl. The coyote was later shot and killed.
The Eliyahuos have lived In Woodland Hills for three years and seen their share of wildlife.
“There are a lot of coyotes here we see but they usually run away,” Shira said.
NBC4 learned on Saturday that officials took bloody clothes for DNA match to begin process of trapping coyote.
The family says their daughter is still too scared to go outside.
Coyotes are highly adaptable animals that have learned to live comfortably in many environments, including around humans. Wildlife experts say we've played a role in part by leaving food and garbage out for an attractive snack. By nature, they're fearful of humans. They primarily hunt rodents, and help keep that population under control, but will not ignore an easy meal.
Here's list of coyote precautions from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
- Never feed or attempt to tame coyotes. The result may be deadly conflicts with pets or livestock, or serious injuries to small children.
- Do not leave small children or pets outside unattended.
- Install motion-sensitive lighting around the house.
- Trim ground-level shrubbery to reduce hiding places.
- Be aware that coyotes are more active in the spring, when feeding and protecting their young.
- If followed by a coyote, make loud noises. If this fails, throw rocks in the animal’s direction.
- If a coyote attacks a person, immediately contact the nearest Department of Fish and Wildlife or law enforcement office.
- Put garbage in tightly closed containers that cannot be tipped over.
- Remove sources of water, especially in dry climates.
- Bring pets in at night, and do not leave pet food outside.
- Avoid using bird feeders as they attract rodents and other coyote prey.
- Provide secure enclosures for rabbits, poultry and other livestock.
- Pick up fallen fruit and cover compost piles.
- Ask your neighbors to follow these tips.
Coyotes are highly adaptable animals that have learned to live comfortably in many environments, including around humans. Wildlife experts say we've played a role in part by leaving food and garbage out for an attractive snack.
By nature, they're fearful of humans. They primarily hunt rodents, and help keep that population under control, but will not ignore an easy meal.
Here's list of coyote precautions from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Never feed or attempt to tame coyotes. The result may be deadly conflicts with pets or livestock, or serious injuries to small children.
Do not leave small children or pets outside unattended.
Install motion-sensitive lighting around the house.
Trim ground-level shrubbery to reduce hiding places.
Be aware that coyotes are more active in the spring, when feeding and protecting their young.
If followed by a coyote, make loud noises. If this fails, throw rocks in the animal’s direction.
If a coyote attacks a person, immediately contact the nearest Department of Fish and Wildlife or law enforcement office.
Put garbage in tightly closed containers that cannot be tipped over.
Remove sources of water, especially in dry climates.
Bring pets in at night, and do not leave pet food outside.
Avoid using bird feeders as they attract rodents and other coyote prey.
Provide secure enclosures for rabbits, poultry and other livestock.
Pick up fallen fruit and cover compost piles.
Ask your neighbors to follow these tips.
