Coyote With Head Stuck In Bucket Rescued From San Diego Flood

SAN DIEGO, CA — The San Diego Humane Society's Ramona Wildlife Center is working to rehabilitate and return a coyote to the wild after it was rescued from the flooded Tijuana River Valley during this week's storm.

The organization's Humane Law Enforcement personnel were called Monday to the 2200 block of Dairy Mart Road in San Diego about a dog with a bucket stuck on its head floating in a field of debris.

Due to the difficult terrain, the only way to reach the animal was by boat, so San Diego Lifeguards helped humane officers reach the animal, which turned out to be a coyote, not a dog.

The coyote was rushed to the Bahde Wildlife Center for initial triage and care, where veterinarians administered a sedative and pain medication, then removed the bucket from his head, provided fluids and took X-rays, according to the Humane Society.

"He was wet, suffering from mild hypothermia, had cactus spines stuck in his fur and wounds that needed care," Humane Society spokesperson Nina Thompson said.

After the first 24 hours, the coyote was transferred to the organization's Ramona Wildlife Center, where the Project Wildlife team rehabilitates apex predators.

"We are hopeful this juvenile coyote will be able to recover and return to the wild soon," Thompson said.