LOS ANGELES, CA — A coyote that California wildlife officers believed had been euthanized after biting a toddler was later seen alive again in Atwater Village. Residents had nicknamed the animal Wiley after it roamed backyards, worried pets and drew attention for increasingly bold behavior.

At a glance

• Animal: A coyote known locally as Wiley.
• Where: Atwater Village, a neighborhood in Los Angeles.
• When: Wildlife officers first shot the coyote on Oct. 16, and residents reported seeing it again in recent weeks.
• What happened: The coyote bit a 16-month-old child and later was found alive after officials thought it had died.
• Status: California Department of Fish and Wildlife said the coyote was killed on a second attempt.
• Anyone hurt: A toddler was bitten; no other injuries were reported.

What happened

Residents in Atwater Village said the coyote had become a familiar but unwelcome presence in the area. They reported seeing it move through yards and said it may have been fed by an unidentified man, which can make wild animals less wary of people.

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife said in a statement provided to KTLA that officers shot the coyote on Oct. 16 after it bit a 16-month-old child. Officials later could not locate a body and concluded the animal had died.

That belief turned out to be wrong, according to neighborhood residents who later spotted a limping coyote they believed was Wiley back in the area. The department then returned to Atwater Village and shot the animal again, confirming on Tuesday that it had been killed.

The incident left some residents frustrated and questioning whether the coyote could have been handled differently. One neighbor, Ana Fishman, told KTLA she thought the animal should have been relocated instead of euthanized.

About the animal

Coyotes are medium-sized wild canids with pointed ears, narrow muzzles and bushy tails. Adults usually weigh far less than wolves and are often mistaken for large dogs when seen at a distance.

They are adaptable predators and scavengers. Coyotes eat small mammals, birds, insects, fruit and carrion, and in cities they may also take advantage of unsecured trash, pet food and other easy meals.

Coyotes are common across much of California, including urban and suburban areas. They usually avoid people, but they can become bolder if they are fed, habituated or allowed repeated access to pets and food sources.

If you encounter one

Wildlife officials generally advise people to keep their distance, stand tall and make themselves look larger if a coyote lingers nearby. Shout, wave your arms and back away slowly without turning your back or running.

Do not feed coyotes or leave food outside. Bring pets in at night, keep cats indoors, and supervise small dogs in yards, especially at dawn and dusk when coyotes are often active.

If a coyote acts aggressively, follows people or repeatedly appears near homes, contact local animal control or the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Quick reporting can help officials respond before the animal becomes a greater risk.

What happens next

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife confirmed the coyote was killed on the second attempt. Officials have not said whether any additional action is planned in the neighborhood.

For residents, the episode has renewed concern about how to handle coyotes that become accustomed to people in dense urban areas.

Spotted a dangerous animal where you live? Report it to your state wildlife agency or local animal control.