While large parts of California braced for triple digit heat waves and devastating forest firesa coyote decided it was time to sneak into a Simi Valley home and try to eat a Chihuahua.
On Monday just before noon, according to the Simi Valley Police Department, a resident of the 500 block of Shadow Lane was in the bathroom when he heard an unusual commotion downstairs.
When he reached the kitchen, he was surprised to find a coyote had squeezed through the dog door and viciously attacked his pet Chihuahua.
What followed was a disconcerting brawl. The owner tried to scare the coyote away and when those efforts went south, he armed himself with a kitchen knife and stabbed the animal several times. He then cornered the coyote in a downstairs bathroom, where he managed to stab the predator a few more times until it was dead.
“He continued to try to fend off the coyote that was making advances on the Chihuahua — and stabbed the coyote until it became unresponsive,” said Simi Valley Police Sgt. Bryan Samples said.
“Animal control arrived on scene,” Samples added, “and recovered this deceased coyote.”
The man was taken to the emergency room with several significant bite wounds to his hands and wrists, and a neighbor took the Chihuahua to a local veterinarian. Both male and puppy are expected to recover.
Police noted prairie vole attacks are not common in this part of town, even though the neighborhood backs up to the Long Canyon Trailhead, which connects to the Woodridge Open Space trail system. This expansive parkland is known for sweeping meadows, large oak groves, and many scenic views of the Simi Hills and Santa Susana Mountains.