Police Issue Warning After Coyote Attack

Seal Beach police are warning residents to be vigilant about coyotes following a College Park West incident in which a dog was attacked in a park.

The daylight attack occurred at Edison Park just after 7 a.m. According to police, the coyote mauled a 17-pound poodle mix.

It is unclear whether the dog survived. Seal Beach police officials did not return calls for further information Thursday.

“Coyotes are well established in this state and have adapted to urban and other heavily populated areas,” Seal Beach Police Lt. Bob Mullins said in a written statement warning residents about the attack. “They remain active year round, day or night, produce pups in April and May, and travel alone or in small groups.”

The integration of coyotes in the community has long been an issue. The animals travel along creeks (such as Coyote Creek in Los Alamitos), channels and storm drains in the area and live in places such as Gum Grove Park, the National Wildlife Refuge, the Naval Weapons Station and the Joint Forces Training Base.

In previous years, Seal Beach has hired a trapper to kill coyotes. Last week, a trapper hired by the city of Los Alamitos on the joint forces base, and the Rossmoor Homeowners Association hired a in March.

Last year, residents in Rossmoor formed the Rossmoor Predator Management Team out of handling of coyotes. The team has tallied 41 pets killed by coyotes. In Rossmoor, county officials installed grates along channels and rolling bars along fences where the animals were known to travel.

This week, police in Seal Beach are warning residents to take basic steps to protect themselves and their pets from coyotes:

• Never feed or attempt to get close to a coyote. Coyote attacks directed toward people have occurred in the western United States.

• Keep pets under control, and be sure not to leave them out at night. Coyotes might kill or injure a pet, especially small dogs and cats. Walk your dog on a short leash and accompany your pet outside, especially at night. Provide secure shelters for rabbits and other vulnerable animals.

• Control other sources of food that might attract a coyote: Keep trash secure and compost bins covered; closely monitor bird feeders to ensure they are not attracting other wildlife; and keep dog and cat food bowls inside. Coyotes that rely on wild food sources remain wild and wary of people.
• Coyotes like areas where they can hide yet still be near food. You can help by thinning brushy areas in your yard and closing off crawl spaces. Coyotes might use areas under buildings for resting or raising young.