Coyote found dead with gunshot wound in Silver Lake

SILVER LAKE, LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- The Los Angeles Police Department's Animal Cruelty Task Force is investigating a coyote shooting to determine if a gunshot was the cause of death.

While coyote sightings are common in the area, coyote shootings are not.

Randi Feilich, with the nonprofit group Project Coyote, said the coyote was found dead about three weeks ago in a Silver Lake neighborhood.

"It's very shocking. It's illegal to discharge a firearm like that and shoot a coyote," Feilich said.

Silver Lake resident Carolyn Cooper said that she has seen the negative side of coyotes.

"I've had three debris fields from coyotes that have killed animals. Two were cats and one was a skunk," Cooper said.

Cooper said that she has seen a disemboweled cat on her front lawn.

Melvin Jackson has been living in the neighborhood for over 30 years. He had advice for people on how to handle a coyote sighting.

"Stomp their feet or clap their hands, but don't shoot them. I've never seen one be aggressive, but they're here all the time," Jackson said.

It is also advised not to leave pet food outside as it can lure coyotes onto property.

Shooting a coyote is not only dangerous for the animals but also for people, according to Feilich.

"We don't condone the shooting of a coyote, and it also presents a lot of harm to people, pets, anyone who is, you know, around that," Feilich said.

The nonprofit Wildlife Emergency Services is now offering a $5,000 reward for anyone with information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person who killed the coyote. Tips can be called in to (800)222-8477.