Coyote sightings are increasing across Central Orange County as young pups disperse from their dens and establish new territories. The Westminster Police issued a public safety reminder yesterday urging residents to secure food sources, protect pets, and report concerning behavior.
Coyote Presence and Diet Trends in Orange County
Multiple studies show that coyotes thrive in urbanized environments, especially where food sources are abundant. Research from California State University, Fullerton found that coyotes frequently consume domestic cats. A CSUF master’s thesis analyzing 311 coyotes from Los Angeles and Orange counties (2015–2018) determined that approximately 35% of coyotes consumed domestic cats, a significantly higher rate than previously reported.
A separate study of 115 scat samples in Long Beach found domestic cats in 14% of samples, confirming that cat predation is a consistent part of the urban coyote diet.
These findings align with local reports: cat and small‑pet losses are among the most discussed concerns in OC neighborhoods.
Aggressive Coyote Incidents in Southern California (Past 5 Years)
Southern California has seen several high‑profile aggressive encounters:
- Woodland Hills (2022): A coyote grabbed a young girl on her front lawn before her father intervened.
- Carson (2025–2026): Multiple attacks on children, including a 4‑year‑old boy dragged in a driveway. DNA linked the same coyote to multiple incidents; the animal was later euthanized.
- Santa Monica (2025): After the Palisades Fire displaced wildlife, coyotes charged cyclists and approached residents.
- Whittier & Huntington Beach (2026): Residents reported increasingly bold coyotes entering yards, rooftops, and apartment buildings.
California also recorded 142 coyote bites on humans between 2015 and 2022, averaging 20 per year statewide.
Do Coyotes Carry Diseases?
Coyotes can carry several communicable diseases and parasites that pose risks to pets and, in rare cases, humans:
- Rabies (rare but possible)
- Canine distemper
- Canine adenovirus
- Mange mites
- Ticks and fleas (vectors for Lyme disease and other illnesses)
- Intestinal parasites (roundworms, hookworms, tapeworms)
A 2022 study also found coyotes in Orange County infected with Babesia conradae and Babesia vogeli, blood‑borne parasites that can spread to dogs through aggressive encounters…