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“They were all real bites that punctured the skin,” said Captain Patrick Foy.
A team worked through the night to complete the DNA work, and Foy said he and his colleagues weren’t surprised by the results.
“A lot of us doubted it was the same animal, because the vast majority of coyotes are shy and people won’t see them, but we have to exhaust all of our resources to determine the connection … that’s why everything our DNA the job was done. “
Authorities are now looking for the animal that will be euthanized and then tested for rabies, which requires a brain tissue sample and cannot be done with a live animal, Foy said.
Tuesday’s attack occurred around 8:30 a.m. near the intersection of Campolindo Drive and Calle La Montana. The child’s mother managed to disengage the coyote and they fled, and the coyote was last seen running north on La Montana Street, police said.
Moraga Police, Moraga-Orinda Fire District and Contra Costa County Animal Services responded but could not find the animal.
“From what I’ve heard, she’s fine,” Foy said of the victim. “These weren’t life-threatening injuries, but it really scared her and her mother. We expect her to make a full recovery.”
Authorities are warning people not to leave small children or pets unattended outside and to take extra precautions at dusk and dawn when coyotes are known to be more active.
Coyotes generally have a natural fear of humans, but some animals become more comfortable with them, or even aggressive, usually because people feed them directly or indirectly. Foy said domestic cats, pet food, trash and fallen fruit from trees are all food sources for coyotes. “Coyotes have probably adapted better to human encouragement than any other wild animal,” he said.
Bay City News contributed to this report.
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