Coyote Bites Small Child In Moraga

LAMORINDA, CA — A three-year-old girl was bitten by a coyote in Moraga Tuesday morning as she walked with her mother, who was pushing a baby in a stroller, prompting the police department to issue a community safety notification.

The child was taken to UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital in Oakland where she was treated for bites on her back and bottom. She is now home.

The coyote has not been captured.

The attack happened near the intersection of Calle la Montana and Campolindo Drive.

"At about 8:30 a.m., a parent was walking with her child when a coyote attacked and bit the child without warning," Moraga Police Chief Jon King said in the safety notification. "The parent was able to get the coyote to disengage and run away."

The coyote was last seen running north on Calle la Montana.

The police and fire departments responded immediately to help the child, while Contra Costa County Animal Services units responded to search for the coyote and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife was also notified.

DNA samples of the coyote were taken from the little girl and her clothing. Wildlife officials will determine if the coyote is the same one that has attacked three other people in the Lamorinda area in recent months.

The first attack was last July in Moraga Commons Park, followed by two attacks in December. One was at Campolindo High School, while the other was in the parking lot of Diablo Foods.

Police warned residents "that coyotes are wild animals and their behavior is unpredictable."

The state offers these coyote safety tips:

• 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