Update: Turns out it was a dog! The 10-year-old boy who was said to have been bitten by a coyote on the way to school in Irvine on Tuesday, Oct. 22 did not test positive for coyote DNA, according to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. They reported that “Coyote DNA was not found on the clothing.” They then elaborated that “dog DNA was detected.”
This morning, a 10-year-old sustained a minor coyote bite while riding a bike near Pathway, according to the Irvine Police Department.
The Irvine Animal Services Unit is working closely with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife to investigate the incident and to locate the coyote involved.
Coyotes are native to Irvine and live throughout the City. Here are some things you can do to discourage wildlife from frequenting your home.
- Supervise pets when they are outside, and never leave them unattended
- Consider making your dog or cat an indoor pet if you live in an area known to be occupied by coyotes
- Do not use retractable leashes on your dog walks. A leash of six feet or less is required by law when walking your dog
- Clean up fruit that may have fallen from trees, and keep pet food inside your residence
- Consider making your dog or cat an indoor pet if you live in an area known to be occupied by coyotes
- Do not use retractable leashes on your dog walks. A leash of six feet or less is required by law when walking your dog
- Clean up fruit that may have fallen from trees, and keep pet food inside your residence
Click here for more information about what to do about coyote encounters in Orange County.
“The Irvine Animal Services Unit is working closely with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife to investigate the incident and to locate the coyote involved.”
What a joke! it looks like this incident took place in a development quite literally at the base of the vast Santa Ana Mountains wildland. Coyotes and other wildlife live there!