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"Yesterday when the sheriffs brought by pamphlets after the incident had occurred stating that they were looking for the one coyote. This is not a single coyote that's the problem we have a quite a lot of them in the neighborhood," said local resident Bill Conrad.
Department of Fish and Game officials will not dispute that assessment. They do not think thought that the drought and fires are responsible.
"Human developments actually create habitat conditions that are much more favorable to coyotes and what we find in the wild. Consequently, we see more coyotes in urban environments. These are not coyotes that are driven out of the hills, these are coyotes that have been living in these communities for quite sometime," said Kevin Brennan from the Department of Fish and Game.
A trapping operation in Chino Hills Park has ended. Officials feel that they caught the coyote responsible for last weeks attack.
"At this point we are finished with our activity there. We have moved out of that area and we are no longer trying to capture any of the animals that are present. In terms of whether or not we have the offending animal, we feel pretty strongly that we do," said Mike Stefanic from the Department of Fish and Game.
When asked why coyotes seem to be more aggressive around this time officials say that it might be due to breeding.
"Around this time coyotes are having their pups. If in fact this is a female coyote, she may be looking for food for her pups. She will prey on what is readily available to her. In this case unfortunately she saw a 2-year-old child and took advantage of that," said Matthew Shanley from the Department of Fish and Game.
"Our coyotes are brazen. They will walk right up to our window. You look at them and you'd think a wild animal would take off. In order to get them to leave you've got to actually go out yell and scream and pretend like you're going to chase them," explains local resident Charlene Mitchell.
The toddler was treated for several puncture wounds to the head and neck, but authorities say she is back home with her parents and is expected to fully recover.
