Full Notification

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife has announced today that the responsible coyote in the attacks in both Moraga and Lafayette was caught and euthanized yesterday morning.  DNA testing was conducted which matched the DNA recovered from the bite victims.  U.C. Davis veterinary staff will be conducting a rabies test on the coyote. There is no current evidence to suggest the coyote is rabid, but because of the severity of the disease, it is standard operating procedure in an animal attack investigation such as this one. Rabies tests can only be done post-mortem.
 
There has been a constant effort by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, U.S. Department of Agriculture - Wildlife Services, the Moraga and Lafayette Police Departments and Contra Costa County Animal Services to locate and catch the offending coyote.  The City of Lafayette is grateful for their hard work on behalf of the Lamorinda area and the safety of our residents and visitors.  The City is also appreciative of the work of our residents to report coyotes in our neighborhoods.  This information was critical in our success.  The City of Lafayette will be working with the Department of Fish and Wildlife in the future to bring one of their community wildlife awareness programs to Lafayette.

These animals will continue to live in and around our communities.  Anyone who is interested in obtaining more information about these animals and living around them can go to www.keepmewild.org  where there are helpful tips on how we can all better coexist with coyotes and other wild animals around us.
 

Keep Me Wild The Department of Fish and Wildlife manages California's diverse fish, wildlife, and plant resources, and the habitats upon which they depend, for their ecological values and for their use and enjoyment by the public. www.keepmewild.org

 
Any questions or concerns can be directed to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife at 916-508-7095.
 
Thank you,
 
Ben Alldritt
Chief of Police 
City of Lafayette | 3471 Mt. Diablo Blvd | Lafayette, CA  94549
(925) 299-3221
 
[email protected]