Fountain Valley Bans Wildlife Feeding to Reduce Coyote Attacks

A coyote runs from a wildfire in Chino, Calif., on Oct. 27, 2020. Robyn Beck/AFP via Getty Images

The Fountain Valley City Council has banned feeding or disturbing wildlife on city property to protect residents and their pets from interactions with coyotes—following an incident in June when a 2-year-old girl was attacked by a coyote at a local park.

The ordinance was unanimously approved 5–0 Oct 4.

“The ban states that unless specifically authorized by the director of community services in writing, no person shall feed, disturb or have physical contact with wildlife on city property,” said City Attorney Colin Burns during a previous council meeting on the issue. “Feeding wildlife in general attracts coyotes.”

A dried pond sits on the outskirts of Mile Square Park in Fountain Valley, Calif., on May 21, 2022. John Fredricks/The Epoch Times

According to city officials, the presence of coyotes has grown over the past few years in the city and is a threat to the safety and welfare of people and their pets.

The police previously created a coyote management plan (pdf), which explains how the city and residents can handle coyote populations and incidents.

The plan instructs residents to avoid attracting coyotes with pet food left outside, leaving fallen fruit on the ground, or failing to secure trash and compost bags. The plan also requests that shelter opportunities for coyotes—such as empty piles of boards or empty sheds that offer cover and a hiding space—are taken down, and pets are not left unattended outside where they could be attacked.

According to the plan, the state of California already bans feeding, sheltering, or interacting with wildlife, but only pertaining to feeding ducks.

Signs regarding the new ordinance will be posted on city public property, and violations will be enforced.

According to the Fountain Valley Police Department, coyotes are euthanized when they have attacked a human, whether provoked or not. When in an encounter, residents are encouraged to “haze” coyotes, which includes creating loud noise and trying to physically appear larger and more threatening. Using tools to scare off a coyote, such as a hose, sticks, small rocks, and other projectiles, is permitted as well.

Fountain Valley, Calif., on Aug. 27, 2021. John Fredricks/The Epoch Times

In the June incident that spurred the new ordinance, a two-year-old girl was attacked at the city’s Mile Square Regional Park by a coyote. She was transported to a hospital and recovered from her injuries, according to a Fountain Valley Police Department press release at the time.

The incident was not immediately reported. However, police found the coyote based on DNA evidence and euthanized it shortly after.

Other recent area attacks include another 2-year-old-girl bitten by a coyote in Huntington Beach in April. The child’s mother announced plans last month to sue the city for failures to address coyotes—according to local media reports—of which residents have been complaining.

The City of Fountain Valley and its police department did not respond to The Epoch Times for comment.