Attacks against humans are rare; the animals are notably nocturnal and not usually confrontational.
This coyote was unusually aggressive according to the state, attacking a boy in July, two men in December, and a girl and a man in February.
All of the Contra Costa County attacks occurred within two miles of one another in the morning or early evening.
In each incident, the coyote bit the victim in the leg, SFGate reported on Friday.
State and federal wildlife services, the Orinda, Moraga and Lafayette police departments and Contra Costa County Animal Services worked together to track down the predator.
Coyote Linked To Multiple Attacks Caught, Euthanized
Bay City News Service
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An unusually aggressive coyote that attacked five people in the Lafayette-Moraga area of Contra Costa County over the past eight months was caught and euthanized Thursday, state fish and wildlife officials said.
DNA testing on the coyote matched that found on bite victims, according to a news release from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
While there is no evidence the animal was rabid, UC Davis veterinary staff will be conducting rabies tests on the carcass as a precaution. It is the most aggressive behavior on the part of a coyote I ve seen in my 24 years, said Capt. Patrick Foy of the state wildlife agency. I ve near heard of a coyote attacking and biting five people.
East Bay coyote attacks again, biting a fifth person
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A Moraga resident photographed a coyote in a location that he said was a block from where a 3-year-old girl was bitten on Feb. 16, 2021. The animal was more interested in the garbage placed outside a home than him, he said.Baldwin LeeShow MoreShow Less
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A Moraga resident photographed a coyote in a location that he said was a block from where a 3-year-old girl was bitten on Feb. 16, 2021. The animal was more interested in the garbage placed outside a home than him, he said.Baldwin LeeShow MoreShow Less
The coyote was last seen running north on Calle La Montana, according to police.
Moraga police, Moraga-Orinda Fire Department and Contra Costa County Animal Services officials responded but did not find the animal, and investigators do not know if it is the same one that has done previous attacks in the Lamorinda area.
Police said there were no life-threatening injuries, but are warning people to not leave small children or pets unattended outside, and to take extra precautions during dusk and dawn times when coyotes are known to be more active.
A neighbor took a picture of a coyote in the same area of the attack just 20 minutes prior. That neighbor pointed out the black spot that can be seen on this coyote s tail.