Watch Out for Coyotes in the South Bay, Authorities Warn

TORRANCE,CA - The Torrance Police Department today warned residents to watch out for coyotes and other wildlife in the Old Torrance and southeast residential parts of the city, based on recent evidence that a pet was attacked by a coyote in a residential yard.

According to the city's animal control section, residents have reported numerous coyote sightings.

The Torrance Police Department that there are as many as 750,000 coyotes in California, and they play an important role in preventing rodent populations from booming. Coyotes are nervous about people, but in April and May, elder members of packs often set out to look for food.

The department said residents should avoid feeding or taming coyotes and leaving small children or pets outside. Recommendations include installing motion-sensing lighting around houses, trimming back shrubbery, putting garbage in tightly closed containers and removing pet food and water.

--City News Service, photo credit Christopher Bruno/Wiki Commons