Caught in an illegal jaw trap on a residential property in a San Diego neighborhood on Feb. 17, a coyote was returned to the wild on March 10 after three weeks in care with he San Diego Humane Society’s Project Wildlife team.
The coyote, an adult female was rescued by the SDHS’s Humane Law Enforcement after found dangling on a chain link fence from a jaw trap attached to her left front leg.
At SDHS’ Ramona Wildlife Center, the medical team provided pain treatment, x-rays, and tended to her wounds. She suffered soft tissue damage, but with no fractures or permanent damage. The team also noted the coyote needed significant dental care, including a tooth extraction, which was most likely caused by trying to free herself from the trap. She was released back into the wild not far from where she was found.
“When she first came in, we didn’t think she was going to make it,” said Andy Blue, campus director of San Diego Humane Society’s Ramona Wildlife Center in a press release. “Typically, animals caught in these awful traps have such extensive damage, that they are unable to return to the wild and fend for themselves.”
SDHS Law Enforcement is investigating this as a felony animal cruelty.
“While we can’t comment on the specifics of this case, the public should know that these traps are illegal,” stated Lt. Regina Price with San Diego Humane Society’s Humane Law Enforcement. “Not only are they extremely inhumane, anyone can get caught in them —children, pets and wildlife. There is no excuse for placing them in the community.”
If you suspect animal cruelty or neglect in your neighborhood, please report it to San Diego Humane Society by calling 619-299-7012.
