Coyote That Attacked LA Toddler Identified Through DNA Testing: Officials

LOS ANGELES, CA — DNA testing has confirmed that a coyote euthanized after attacking a 16-month-old boy in Northeast Los Angeles Friday was the same animal responsible for the attack, state wildlife officials announced Tuesday.

The boy was attacked in his family's backyard on the 3300 block of Glenhurst Avenue in Atwater Village. The coyote then followed the child and his mother inside their home, the family told KTLA.

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The child was treated at a local hospital and released, according to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Wildlife officers tracked down and euthanized a coyote near the scene Friday evening but had been awaiting DNA results to confirm whether it was the animal responsible for the attack.

"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 Tuesday.

The attack alarmed neighbors who said they had raised concerns for months about a coyote nicknamed "Wylie" that had grown increasingly comfortable around people. It remains unclear whether the euthanized animal was the same coyote neighbors had been seeing.

Residents are scheduled to meet at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday to discuss ways to prevent future coyote encounters and protect neighborhood pets.

City News Service contributed to this report.