A Los Angeles neighbor who allegedly fed a wild coyote for months could soon face criminal charges after the animal mauled a toddler in a terrifying attack.
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife confirmed it launched an investigation into illegal wildlife feeding in Atwater Village following the Oct. 16 incident, which left a 16-month-old child injured and reignited long-standing fears about a neighborhood animal locals had nicknamed “Wiley.”
“CDFW wildlife officers investigated reports of Atwater Village residents feeding coyotes,” spokesperson Cort Klopping told The Post.
Wildlife officers tracked down and contacted an individual living in the area, Klopping added. That person will face a case filed with the city’s attorney’s office for the illegal feeding of wildlife, he said.
The agency declined to release further details while the investigation remains active. If the city pursues the charge, illegal wildlife feeding in Los Angeles carries a misdemeanor penalty.
The attack occurred on the 3300 block of Glenhurst Avenue, where CDFW officials responded last Friday. The toddler was rushed to a local hospital for treatment and later released, according to the department.
Officials described the incident only as one in which a child was injured “after an incident involving a coyote.” That same evening, wildlife officers located a coyote in the vicinity and euthanized the animal.
Investigators collected DNA samples from both the child and the euthanized coyote to confirm whether they had the right animal. The results came back conclusive.
“DNA samples that were collected from the victim and the coyote that was taken have been analyzed and have confirmed the coyote that was taken is the offending animal,” the CDFW said in a statement reported by NBC4 News.
The mauling stirred fresh alarm in a neighborhood already on edge about aggressive coyote behavior. In August, the animal known as Wiley was spotted wandering through Atwater Village and was reportedly seen chasing children Los Angeles.
Some residents had suspected for months that someone in the neighborhood was feeding the wild animal, which can cause coyotes to lose their natural fear of humans and become dangerously habituated to residential areas.
“We’ve run into the coyote maybe a few times a week. Every time we go walking,” local resident Libby Stankaitis said Los Angeles.
It remains unclear whether the coyote euthanized after the toddler attack was the same Wiley that had prompted earlier concerns.
Wildlife officials recommend that residents maintain a safe distance from coyotes and slowly back away if they encounter one. Adults should keep young children and pets close, make loud noises and wave their arms to appear larger if a coyote approaches. If a coyote makes physical contact, officials advise fighting back and contacting animal control or calling 911.
The city attorney’s office will review the case against the neighbor as the investigation continues.