Crime & Safety

Coyote Alerts for All of 2011—See Where and When They Occurred

Here are the patterns of the wild animals eating our pets.

See where the attacks and sightings have taken place in all of 2011.

For the latest, or to post yours, go here:

Coyote Alert! Report What You've Seen Here!

Find out what's happening in Studio Citywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

From most recent to past:

Friday, Dec. 22 @ 7:30 p.m.

Find out what's happening in Studio Citywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Just wanted to let people know that a coyote was sighted at the corner of Eureka and Sunshine Terrace at 7:30 Friday night. It was a rather small one, and he was heading up Eureka.— Jean Cameo

Tuesday, Nov. 29 @ 6:05 a.m.

"I live across the street from Beeman Park and looked right out my window and thought I saw a stray dog crossing into the grassy baseball diamond area of Beeman and sure enough it was a mangy coyote. I grabbed a robe and my iPhone to chase it, but I think I spooked it and it took off like a squirrel to the other side of the park. I'll get him next time! Thanks so much for these alerts, it is important to keep us informed!"—C.J.

Monday, Nov. 21 @ 8:30 a.m.

Good Morning Mike, having grown up in Studio City and where my father has lived and still does for over 55 years on one of the Wrightwood streets, I thought I'd chime in on the coyote watch. This past Saturday morning (11/12/11) at around 8:30 AM, my wife and our two kids were driving down Ventura Blvd where we saw a loneCoyote in the "island" area between Coldwater Cyn and Ethel Ave. The referred to area with it's walking path is on the south side of Ventura Blvd closer to homes and away from the 4 car lanes. We drove a loop around it and doubled back and it was still there. Don't know if it was male or female but did seem young and healthy. I've been a trail runner for 3 decades in Griffith Park and the trails above Lake Hollywood leading into the park and often see them there although some look mangy. Just a heads up! Best, Craig Tufeld

Monday, Nov. 14 @ 9:25 a.m.

"Having grown up in Studio City and where my father has lived and still does for over 55 years on one of the Wrightwood streets, I thought I'd chime in on the coyote watch. This past Saturday morning (11/12/11) at around 8:30 a.m., my wife and our two kids were driving down Ventura Blvd where we saw a lone Coyote in the "island" area between Coldwater Cyn and Ethel Ave. The referred to area with it's walking path is on the south side of Ventura Blvd closer to homes and away from the 4 car lanes. We drove a loop around it and doubled back and it was still there. Don't know if it was male or female but did seem young and healthy. I've been a trail runner for 3 decades in Griffith Park and the trails above Lake Hollywood leading into the park and often see them there although some look mangy. Just a heads up!" —Best, Craig Tufeld

Monday, Nov. 14 @ 8:05 a.m.

On Mulholland not far from this coyote encounter described by a reader () and had a bushy tail like the one caught on video (see in the Photo Gallery above in the video area). Unfortunately didn't have my camera, but it was around the time  walk the area.—Editor

Thursday, Nov. 10 @ 5:30 a.m.

"On my way to put out the trash cans and a coyote rummaging through my trash. I live at the corner of Ethel and Valley Vista"—Sam Jones

Wednesday, Nov. 9 @ 5 p.m.

 "Two coyotes cruising up the middle of Ethel Avenue between Valley Vista and Longridge at about 5:00 PM, November 9"—Pam

Wednesday, Nov. 9 @ 10 a.m.

"I saw one coyote on hill above Ethel Avenue between Valley Vista and Longridge -- 10:00 AM November 9"—Pam

Tuesday, Nov. 8 @ 9 a.m.

A wolf or fox was videotaped in the Studio City hills behind an apartment complex in broad daylight.—Pedro posted on YouTube (see above in Gallery)

Monday, Nov. 7 @ 8 p.m.

"One coyote at Laurelgrove and Hillslope around 8 p.m."—Karen Young

Sunday, Nov. 6 @ 6:00 p.m.

"I saw a large coyote on Vantage Ave then ran down Valley Spring Ln, then south on Bellingham Ave, one block north of Ventura Blvd. It was carrying in its mouth an animal, could have been an outdoor cat or bushy-tailed wild animal. I drove to get closer to see if I could help, but the coyote successfully vanished. Native americans called them 'tricksters' due to their swift nature. Coyotes are only trying to survive, they are not bad creatures. These animals prey on our domestic animals as well, so please always use a leash and cats indoors only and keep your loved animals safe!"—Tracy

Thursday, Nov. 3 @ 10:30 a.m.

Nov. 3rd at 10:30am. I was driving on Kling, between Fulton and Coldwater when I was stopped by a coyote in the middle of the street. He was in no hurry to get out of the way of my car. I followed it down Longridge, to Sarah. There were probably about 5 different people out and about. This coyote had no fear. There was actually an older lady who was in the middle of Longridge —Karen N.

Wednesday, Nov. 2 @ 10:00 p.m.

Saw a coyote on Iredell near Franklin Canyon park entrance as I was driving home. It was disturbingly calm, just sauntering down the street and didn't skitter away like they usually do.—Clemente Lagundimao

Tuesday, Nov. 1 @ 9:10 a.m.

Two coyotes seen on Coldwater Canyon Boulevard near the L.A. River, "heading toward the golf course" —Jay Miner by phone.

Tuesday, Nov. 1 @ 7:20 a.m.

"2 coyotes running up Coldwater Canyon Blvd. (at Burbank near Valley College) at 7:20 a.m."—

 

 

Friday, Oct. 28 @ 7:35 p.m.

Near Lankershim and Valleyheart Drive. Saw them in the daytime, too, looks like two are staking out the neighborhood.

Thursday, Oct. 27 @ 7:15 a.m.

"Shocking! Right across the street from Ralph's, I thought it was a stray dog trying to cross Ventura, but it was a coyote all right, and it went up the hill in the parking lot behind the Psychic Cottage. Maybe it came from Weddington Park?? I left a note for the Rock Nation people because they have kids coming and going there!!"— Richard Carl

Monday, Oct. 17 @ 8 p.m.

Two coyotes following three deer at the top of Mulholland where Wrightwood Drive comes into it—a beautiful sight, but I hope the deer get away. And, I worry about cars speeding around that corner, they were heading toward the Donas.—Carrie Schuster, @carybschuster@gmail.com 

Wednesday, Oct. 12, @ 7:20 a.m.

"Saw a young coyote crossing Ventura Blvd east of Fulton at 7:20 a.m. this morning. It dodged through traffic and was nearly hit by a car. It's trash day so maybe that's what brings them out to the flats." — 

Tuesday, Oct. 11, @ 2:45 p.m.

"Yes, I saw one walking on the main path in Fryman Canyon right next to the Wilacre Parking lot just a few minutes ago in the middle of the day. Not scared! Very 'howdya do' and not scrambling into the brush to easily. I think these scary monsters should be exterminated." —Vivienne Boyeur

Tuesday, Oct. 11, 10:11 p.m.

Heading up Berry Drive, a scrawny coyote looked over at me and snarled and then skitted up the hill. Never saw anything so frightening, and under a full moon yet."—Layton Cruz, longtime reader.

Monday, Oct. 10, 1:41 a.m.

A deer and two coyotes near Fire Station 76 off Cahuenga Blvd. in the Cahuenga Pass. Quite a site! —Elizabeth Beardon

 

Tuesday, Sept. 13 @ 11:15 a.m.

"I have pictures of the Wild Coyote that was running East on Woodbridge and then turned to go South on Shadyglade Ave. in Studio City.  It was between 1115-1120am on Sept. 13th."—John Dalton (see his photos in the gallery above)

Saturday, Aug. 27 @ 6:30 a.m.

"On Saturday morning, August 27th, at around 6:30 am, I was walking my dogs near the entrance to the LA River on Coldwater between Ventura and Moorpark when we spotted two coyotes together. I have two dogs who initially barked at the coyotes and caused them to scamper away. But within 10-15 seconds after I retreated down Coldwater they began to pursue me and my dogs. Luckily we were able to get away and the Coytes went their own way down towards the river path. But it was unnerving."—Randy Kravis

 

Thursday, Aug. 25 @ 5:30 p.m.

From 2 pm to approximately 5:30 pm, one tan coyote was running up and down Matilija and Mammoth between Addison and Riverside, occasionally resting in front yards. Eventually it took Addision East across Woodman. At one point it leaped over a hedge row of small 5 1/2 foot trees, clearing them and landing gracefully in the street!—Sage Stetson

 

Wednesday, Aug. 24 @ 4 p.m.

A bicyclist saw what he thought was a stray dog that actually turned out to be a coyote in the 11600 block of Chiquita Street. The coyote turned up the street toward the busier part of the neighborhood. There was an earlier sighting called to Patch also on Chiquita earlier in the day at @ 10 a.m.

 

Monday, Aug. 22 @ 7 a.m.

Monday morning, August 22, the remains of a white cat were found on a lawn in the 13900 block of Morrison, just off Ranchito, South of Addison and north of Riverside in Sherman Oaks.— Sage Stetson 

 

Sunday, Aug. 22 @ 7 a.m.

Sunday morning, August 21, the remains of a small gray and white cat were found in the 4900 block of Stern Avenue just south of Addison, north of Riverside, three blocks West of Woodman.— Sage Stetson 

 

Thursday, Aug. 18 @ 6 :30 p.m.

Reports of two cats over the past week attacked along Kraft. One was around 4100 Kraft, where a cat was taken by a coyote from a backyard and the owner last saw it in the mouth of a coyote. Then, at 4500 block of Kraft a woman's cat was attacked in the morning and she got it to the vet on time (see comment below). In both reports, "the coyote was large and kept circling around and coming back. He's not afraid of people."

 

Friday, Aug. 12 @ 8 a.m.

Another sighting near Vineland and Ventura intersection of a coyote scampering up the hill.

Read this cautionary tale from Chatsworth Patch: 

 

Wednesday, Aug. 10 @ 3 a.m.

"I live on Laurelgrove Ave in Studio City north of Moorpark. My son saw a pack of 5-6 coyotes under our street light at about 3AM. He did manage to chase them off with his car. One is enough. A pack is very serious. Keep on the lookout and be careful with your pets, your children and yourselves."—Jerry Trent

 

Tuesday, Aug. 9 @ 7 a.m.

"7am @ the intersction of Valley Spring Lane and Bakman Ave, near Woodbridge Park; lone coyote wandering the neighbor, was able to jump a four ft. fence with no problem; second time in 6 weeks that I saw one at this location" —Brian Steger

 

Monday, Aug 8 @ 2:30 p.m.

"I heard there was a mountain lion or cougar sighted in my neighborhood near Iredell over the weekend and just this afternoon people were also talking about missing cats over the weekend, and hearing a low growl. Rangers said there may be a large cat in the area attacking pets. It's so hot, I can't believe they are out in this weather. I worry when the sun goes down."— J.T., Iredell Pl.

 

Monday Aug. 8 @ 8 a.m.

While walking my dog this morning I saw mangled pieces of a cat on the lawn of 4316 Sunnyslope Avenue in Sherman Oaks (91423). It definitely looked like the work of a coyote. We had a rash of coyote cat killings several years ago, so I am very aware of what they look like. Please let your readers know.   Thank you, Evelyn Celic Sherman Oaks resident

 

Sunday, Aug. 7 @ 5 p.m.

 "Am I the only one who's seen a coyote at the Encino Golf Course? I've seen it many times during my jog and obviously no one has done anything about it because it's still there...it's pretty scary ...One time I was running and it literally popped out of the bushes and walked across to the where the golfers were..It's like no one cares. He's really skinny and always looks lost...I don't go there as much...I'm scared for my life!"

 

Saturday, Aug. 6 @ 2:30 p.m.

"I just came back from a brisk afternoon walk at Fryman Canyon where it's rather heavily traveled, and thought I saw a dog off leash ahead of me, but it was a coyote, very scrawny, and it just stopped and looked at me and didn't budge at first, but then scampered into the brush. Some other hikers up the hill saw it and said it seemed rather brazen, or maybe it was two, but they looked hungry, and it was in a busy area."—Heidi M.

 

Saturday, July 16 @ 8:49 a.m.

Could it be a coyote Carmageddon issue? "Coyote outside my house now - on St. Clair in Studio City, near the intersection of Laurel Canyon and Moorpark. How they cross Ventura I'll never know."—Fayeruz Barbari Regan

 

Friday, July 15 @ 8 p.m.

"Very scary, thought it was a stray dog in our backyard, it was a coyote, pretty scrappy, took off to the end of Blue Canyon."—Henry

 

Friday, July 15 @ 9:30 a.m.

Christine Hsia said, "I spotted a single medium-sized coyote walking south on Morse Avenue, between Landale Street and Moorpark."

 

Monday, July 11 @ 12:30 a.m.

"I live on Valleyheart and just heard the howling of a lone wolf, it was chilling."—Ô.D.

 

Sunday, July 10 @ 7 p.m.

A report over the police scanner North Hollywood frequency just reported at 7 p.m. a lone coyote near the 13000 block of Valleyheart walking north on Fulton over the bridge

 

Sunday, July 3 @ 7:45 p.m.

"It is now the evening and there are some private people setting off firecrackers and apparently scaring coyotes (and the rest of us) and they are coming through the CAHUENGA PASS from the Hollywood area. I live off Fredonia in Studio City and see four of them as I am sending this to you, and they look hungry. I tried to get a photo and every time it turns out too blurry will try again in a few."Karl Stern

 

Saturday, July 2 @ 9 p.m.

"At Rhodes and Cantura Street, the same one I saw last night." —Melissa


Saturday, July 2 @ 8:30 a.m.

"I was terrified while walking up toward Woodbridge Park for my daily morning stroll when I saw not one, but two coyotes right there in the street, not far from the construction of the sinkhole. They were totally not afraid of me when I said "shoo" and they scurried up toward the brush near the freeway not far from the park where kids play. I am now a bit scared."—Celia Duggan

 

Friday, July 1 @ 10:30 p.m.

"Large coyote trotting down Cantura Street. I chased it away, and as usual it kept coming back." —Melissa

 

Friday, July 1

"I think I was the only trail rider in Chatsworth who didn't know how Coyote Pass got its name .... it wasn't until a pack of coyotes cornered us with our Queensland Heeler, Ruby, that I figured it out. 
Thank goodness for my husband's old Stallion vestor, his skills in the show ring as a reining cowhorse came in handy - he was able to drive the little bastards off while Ruby and I made our escape. The coyotes caught up with us later and grabbed Ruby by the hind leg - I had dismounted to cross a culvert as I was four months pregnant and didn't balance well. Needless to say, hormones took over and I became a large raging human ready to kill anything that hurt my poor dog, who was now on her back and yelping in terror as the coyote was dragging her off. 
Lucky for us, the coyote let go and ran off. I lifted Ruby onto hubby's saddle where she got a really nice view on the ride home from the top of our old Stallion's back. 
Most recently, just a week ago, they came up the driveway at 9:00 in the morning and attacked our Borgi, Star. Fortunately, the shepherd who lives here got the last bite and all the dogs are okay now. 
As a sidenote, I found out recently that skunks eat rodents, too - and since learning that, they've become welcome at our barn for rodent control."—Susan Eskander

Thursday, June 23 @ 8 a.m.

Near Sarah Street, Irene DeBlasio (who took one of the coyote photos above) commented:

"I've named our neighborhood coyote Skippy. I went down my driveway to pick up my newspapers this morning and sure enough there he was -- standing in the middle of the street watching me in my nightgown. I said, 'Morning, Skippy.' He just stood there and watched as I slowly walked back up my driveway (shaking all the way). Another close encounter..."

Wednesday, June 22 @ 7:30 p.m.

J.P wrote in "Just put out the trash at  Rhodes and Valleyspring and saw a big big coyote near the trash cans. Just a word of warning to keep the trash safe and contained, and maybe food stuffs should be in plastic bags, so it's not a temptation."

Tuesday, June 21 @ 8:20 p.m.

There's a big coyote that hopped a fence at Cantura near Vantage. The skinny guy went uphill on Vantage.

Friday, June 17 @ 10:30 p.m.

Steven M. —"Saw one scurry up the hill on the south side of the 101 near the Tujunga Bridge, went down to the wash."

Thursday, June 16 @ 6:30 p.m.

"Right off the Laurel Canyon off-ramp on the north side of the freeway where there's a homeless guy usually with a sign I saw a skinny coyote scrounging around. He was coming up to the cars practically, almost as brazen as the homeless guy, I hope he's OK."

Thursday, June 16 @ 6:15 p.m.

"Right off Barham going down toward Burbank heading down the hill I saw a coyote coming home tonight and it scurried up the hill to the Oakwoods."—Janice

Thursday, June 16 @ 5:01 p.m.

"Unfortunately while looking for my own cat that a neighbor thought they may have seen under their house, I was devastated to find the fresh evidence of a killing... Off of sunshine terrace on ; laurelwood or buena park (street changes names) near the top. It was gruesome and if anyone is missing a cat in the area that may be where it went sadly. There was fur but it's hard to say exactly what color it was. I'm thinking more of a brownish but i couldn't look to long almost vomited! keep your cats inside PLEASE!!!! I don't want to see anymore of this killing, it's really upsetting me!"—Crystal

Tuesday, June 14 @ 9:30 p.m.

Driving out of the Oakwood Apartments, a coyote was spotted going up the hill (where the fires took place a few years ago, same spot), but then while going through the electronic gate, a reader saw something "that looked like a mountain lion" walking right through the gate and scurrying down Barham Boulevard."

Monday, June 13, @ 5:30 a.m.

Caution: Regular early morning sightings at Dixie Canyon between Moorepark & Ventura.

Monday, June 13, @ Midnight

"Saw a small one going south down Noble at Greenleaf."

Sunday, June 12 @ 9:15 p.m.

Coyote on Cantura and Laurelgrove. "My neighbor just chased a coyote away that was at the corner of Cantura and Laurelgrove.. Again! It started to run down Cantura but they managed to chase it up the hill."

Sunday, June 12 @ 12:30 a.m.

Two coyotes on Cantura Street—again! "I was coming home late last night, I heard my neighbor yell to me she heard something in her garage, and I went over and saw two coyotes in her garbage can, one of them knocked over the large black bin! They didn't run even when we yelled (this was near Laurelgrove where there have been other sightings recently). One coyote streaked by me in the street on Cantura Street (near Laurelgrove). When I called my neighbors to alert them, they said that the other night they saw a coyote while walking their dog home. They had also heard of a dog that was on a leash that was attacked by a coyote. Please, please watch your cats and dogs!"

Friday, June 10 @ 6:30 p.m.

"Mike, there was a coyote howl and bark in the hills just above Raphael Restaurant. It was particularly shocking because it was still daylight and I usually hear them at night. I quickly brought in the two small dogs we have in our backyard. Thanks for the Coyote Alert on your site, thought you should know."—Unidentified caller phoning into Patch.

Wednesday, June 8 @ 11 p.m.

"I pulled up to my house, on Laurelgrove just north of Moorpark, and saw a large one drinking some sort of beverage out of a plastic cup left by the curb. Tried chasing him away several times ... he had little fear and just kept about 20 or 30 feet away from me. After quite a while he finally gave up and moved on. I live close to the wash, I think they use that as a travel path. If you live close to one, I'd recommend extra precautions."—Chris Trent

Tuesday, June 7 @ 10 p.m.

"I saw a coyote crossing Mulholland Drive near the intersection of Wrightwood, looked like he had a small bunny or rat in its mouth," wrote E.B. who lives in Beverly Hills.

Tuesday, June 7 @ 9:30 p.m.

A small, skinny coyote was seen rummaging through the trash bin behind a business in Universal City and chased away. It ran toward Ventura Boulevard.

Sunday, June 5

See the attached video of the Small Animal Rescue Team rescuing an indoor cat that managed to get out and was chased up a tree, 32 feet up, by coyotes. (see the amazing video above.)

Sunday, June 5 @ 10:30 p.m.

"Sunday night at 10:30 a coyote was spotted in the back yard of a home on Alcove between Woodbridge and Valleyheart."

Sunday, June 5 @ 5 p.m.

"June 5th 5:00 p.m. corner of Radford & Sarah."—Marcella Bell

Sunday, June 5 @ 9:30 a.m.

From Crystal—"Sunday 9:30 a.m. in front yard of house on Milbank near Beeman. My dog barked at him and he did stay away."

Sunday, June 5 @ 12:30 a.m.

"I saw a coyote around 12:30 am around June 5th. He was crossing Moorpark Street at Sunnyslope. He walked west on Moorpark and turned down Rye Street."

Saturday, June 4 @ 5 p.m.

A report that on Friday night a coyote was running down Laurelgrove headed towards Cantura Street, and after being chased away, it kept returning. "This coyote CHARGED AT ME twice as if it was going to attack me," according to the report. "I made a report with NHPD and LA Animal Services." This coyote ran down Cantura Street between Rhodes and Vantage. It also ran down the alley behind Cantura Street and Ventura Blvd. It ran down Hillslope, Laurel Terrace and was chasedup the hill on Rhodes and Laurel Terrace.

Saturday, June 3 @ 4 p.m.

Distraught owner of cat said he heard a coyote prowling the neighborhood near his home above Universal City off Cahuenga Boulevard and has posted signs of his lost cat. Even if there is bad news, he hopes that someone will notify him of the whereabouts of his cat (see attached flyer in photo gallery): Black cat with white collar.

Saturday, June 3 @ 9 a.m.

Close to Franklin Canyon, west of TreePeople, north of Mulholland Drive, a pack of coyotes, perhaps five or six, that did not seem afraid of cars.

Friday, June 3 @ 1 a.m.

A small scrawny coyote crossing Mulholland going up the hill into the residential area.

Thursday, June 2 @ 9:30 p.m.

An pack of coyotes heard attacking an animal in the hills above Valley View Elementary School.

Wednesday, June 1

Tabby cat missing for two weeks found dead due to animal attack near Wilkinson and Valleyheart Drive.


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