Saturday - May 03, 2008

Coyote Blogging

CHINO HILLS, Calif. — A nanny pulled a 2-year-old girl from the jaws of a coyote when the animal attacked the toddler and tried to carry her away in its mouth, officials said.

The girl was playing Friday in a sandbox at Alterra Park in Chino Hills in San Bernardino County. Around 10:30 a.m., the caretaker heard screaming and saw a coyote trying to carry the child off in its mouth, officials said.

The babysitter grabbed the child and pulled her from the coyote’s grasp, the sheriff’s department said in a statement.  The coyote then ran off into nearby brush.

The child suffered wounds to her buttocks and was taken to Chino Valley Medical Center and was later released, director of nursing Anne Marie Robertson said. She was later transported to Loma Linda University Medical Center to receive the rabies vaccine.

San Bernardino County Animal Control and the State Department of Fish and Game were searching for the animal, Wiltshire said.

Miller said there was another attack in the area in October when a coyote bit a 3-year-old girl playing in a cul-de-sac. The girl needed treatment for puncture wounds to the head and thigh, Miller said.

“When Animals Attack!” “A dingo ate my baby!”. No, I’m not trying to go down the sensationalist path. But I’m not buying into the “displaced from their natural habitat by encroaching suburbia” argument either. Animals adapt, given time. Even predators. This example doesn’t surprise me at all; it’s only a matter of time until a child is killed and eaten. Controlling the predators is one reason we have hunting. Looks like this part of California could do with some more of it. Sooner or later the folks in charge will have to decide that people are more important ... but right now even bullets are illegal in some parts of California, a move Ahnold signed into law 15 months ago to save the condors.

Chino Hills is a very well-to-do little area in the eastern part of the greater Los Angeles area. Partway up a mountain, it’s an oasis of “country” (with only 915 people per square mile!) surrounded by mega-suburbia. And it’s not like this incident is anything really new. The city webpage has a whole FAQ about coyotes:

Chino Hills officials urge residents to learn the steps they should take to live safely near open space areas and wildlife. Residents need to take steps to protect their children and small
pets at all times, even in their own back yards, their front yards, and at local parks. Children and small pets should be supervised at all times and should not be left outside alone. Pets should be fed inside if possible. Outdoor food and water dishes should be removed when pets finish their meals. Residents should never leave water or food out for wildlife.

Chino Hills was ranked as the 25th safest city in America in 2005 ... I wonder if that will change now?

Posted by Drew458     on 05/03/2008 at 09:55 AM   
Filed Under: • Animals •  
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