Coyote Attack Prompts Lake Elsinore Family To Speak Out

A Lake Elsinore family dog was nearly decapitated by hungry coyotes Saturday evening, and her owners want the story publicized so the community is aware of just how wily and brazen the wild animals can be.

Dana and Lisa Stoller say they want people to know that Daisy, their 10-year-old Doxie, is lucky to be alive and the couple worries that the same kind of attack their pooch endured could have happened to a human baby or toddler.

The Stoller’s home overlooks McVicker Canyon Park in a tract development that parallels McVicker Canyon Park Road. Their backyard is fenced with wrought iron that extends up about six feet.

Daisy was in that yard Saturday evening when Dana heard her crying out.

“I really don’t remember much. I never saw the coyotes, but they did,” he said, pointing to his wife, Lisa, and their teenage daughter.

“I saw them. There were two,” Lisa confirmed.

Dana ran outside to find that 14-pound Daisy had been pulled through the fence by the pack of two. His adrenaline kicked in, and he scaled the wrought iron to save his dog.

The hungry hunters were tearing into Daisy’s neck, but Dana’s quick fence hurdle was enough to scare off the wild canines just enough to allow their prey to break free, Lisa said. When Dana caught her, he could see Daisy’s injuries were life-threatening.

“I had blood all over me,” he continued. “I’m surprised she didn’t bleed to death.”

The coyotes stood their ground off in the distance for a period, but the family’s concern was on their dog. They wrapped her neck to stop the bleeding and whisked her off to a veterinarian.

“It was one of the worst night’s of my life,” Dana said of the experience.

The vet confirmed that flesh on Daisy’s neck was torn and chunks were missing; she also had several puncture wounds. It took more than 20 stitches -- and $800 -- to sew her back up.

The Stoller’s said the vet told them that, based on Daisy’s injuries, her neck should have been broken.

“I’m surprised they didn’t rip her head off,” Dana said.

Coyotes are a common sight in the neighborhood, according to the Stoller’s, but they were surprised at how bold the animals were.

“They came right up to the yard and pulled her through the fence!” Lisa said.

“What’s to say they won’t grab a 2-year-old toddler?” Dana added. “There are kids all over here.”

According to a California Department of Fish and Game posting, coyotes – especially those that live in urban settings and have grown accustomed to humans – "can become emboldened to the point where they become a public safety threat.”

Coyotes are actually more populous in suburban neighborhoods, in part because there are so many food sources available to them, according to the posting. In addition to their usual diet of wild animals, suburbanized coyotes feed on pets and their food, as well as garbage.

Dana confirmed that pre-dawn Wednesday mornings are when coyotes are most visible in his neighborhood because it's garbage collection day.

“They get into the trash,” he explained.

The Department of Fish and Game reports, “When coyotes are allowed access to human food and garbage, either deliberately or inadvertently, they can lose their fear of people and become a real danger.”

To avoid problems with coyotes, the agency recommends following these guidelines:

• Never feed or attempt to tame coyotes. The result may be deadly conflicts or serious injuries to pets, livestock and even small children.
• Do not leave small children or pets outside unattended.
• Be aware that coyotes are more active in the spring, when feeding and protecting their young.
• If followed by a coyote, make loud noises. If this fails, throw rocks in the animal’s direction.
• Put garbage in tightly closed containers that cannot be tipped over.

The agency also recommends calling 911 if a coyote acts aggressively or attacks people. For more information on living in coyote territory, click here.