Wildlife officials kill West Salem coyote following multiple reported sightings

A coyote is pictured among brush. (OREGON DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE photo)

Wildlife officers shot and killed a coyote outside West Salem on Feb. 23 after a suspected coyote attack last month yielded several reported sightings, but DNA evidence from the victim’s clothes later determined she was attacked by a domestic dog, officials said. 

On Feb. 18, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife announced state and local officials were searching for a coyote that reportedly attacked a woman a week earlier at around 4:30 p.m. just…

10 Comments

  1. So once again government fails to do the right thing. Arrest the wrong person, shoot a innocent animal. Nice job idiots!

  3. So you shoot and kill an innocent animal BEFORE checking the DNA on the victim? What a waste! What did you do with the coyote after you killed it?

  4. My heart is heavy knowing an innocent animal was out right killed because we humans don’t know the difference between a dog and a coyote. It’s seems to me the shot should have been from a tranquilizer gun instead of using a bullet! The Feds as Judge, Jury, and Executioner once again.

  5. It was always unlikely that this attack was from a coyote. Coyote attacks on humans are extremely rare, and ODFW knows that. Why didn’t they wait for the DNA result before killing the coyote?
    Coyotes are on the move in this area because of habitat loss caused by development. They are becoming increasingly common in urban and suburban environments. Humans need to stop taking the existence of other creatures personally. Sightings do not equal threats to people.

  6. I feel much sorrow about how human ignorance and failure resulted in the death of an innocent coyote. Of course, we should never try to feed coyotes and we must keep our pets inside at night. Otherwise, coyotes avoid contact with ‘dangerous’ humans.

  8. Good thing wildlife management can’t shoot accused humans. What a travesty this was. Next time look before you leap.

  9. So there’s a “domestic” dog on the loose now that will attack people? What’s the plan for that?

  10. im around dogs daily i wonder what dna they would find on me after a coyote attack funny how you find what your really looking for.

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