Another Dog Killed in Recent Laguna Woods Coyote Attack

Another coyote attack in Laguna Woods has left yet another resident of the retirement community petless.

Joan Cierzan, 82, went to let her dog Mocha, a poodle mix, outside her residence on Saturday morning. Though Mocha was leashed, when Cierzan opened her patio gate, she felt a strong yank on the tether, which caused her to fall to the ground. The attack was swift—all that was left was an empty dog collar.

The incident was the worst of many human-versus-coyote encounters during the seven-day period of Aug. 3-9. A perusal of the public police calls log at the —whose three-person animal services division handles Laguna Woods—revealed at least 10 reports of coyote sightings, primarily in Laguna Woods, but at least one within the Laguna Beach city limits as well.

The Laguna Woods city council voted July 28 to hire armed exterminators to kill coyotes. So far, at least five of the animals have been eliminated.