Coyote euthanized after toddler attacked in Los Angeles neighborhood

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife said a coyote seen at the location of an attack on a 16-month-old boy in Atwater Village, Los Angeles, was euthanized. The attack happened on a Friday evening in October 2026, when a coyote entered a family's backyard and attacked the boy. The Guardian

The animal attacked the child in the yard. The boy and his mother fled into their house, and the coyote followed them inside and was reluctant to leave.

The boy was treated at a hospital and discharged. His family told KTLA he was recovering at home. KTLA

For months before October 2026, a coyote nicknamed Wiley had roamed Atwater Village. It appeared in broad daylight, slept in backyards and approached residents. At least one person reportedly fed the animal.

Neighbors had expressed concern about a coyote roaming through the neighborhood. Residents said the coyote became unafraid of people after a neighbor kept feeding it. CBS News

Rebecca Dmytryk, an Atwater Village resident and CEO of Humane Wildlife Control, filed a complaint in July asking fish and wildlife officials to speak with a man reportedly feeding the coyote. She did not hear back. Other residents filed complaints about the coyote with the city and state and say no action was taken.

A spokesperson for the California Department of Fish and Wildlife said the agency followed up on tips received and is investigating allegations of feeding the coyote. DNA samples were collected from the boy and the euthanized coyote to determine if it was the offending animal.