4 Skinned Carcasses Turn Out to Be Coyotes

The deftly skinned animal carcasses that have been turning up in Lakewood are the remains of coyotes--not dogs--that apparently were caught in steel traps and killed for their pelts, SPCA officers said Thursday.

An autopsy performed on the last of the four carcasses that have been discovered since December showed that the animal had fed on small animals and possibly a bird, according to Cpl. Vicki Young of the Los Angeles Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

“This is typical coyote food,” Young said.

Investigation to Continue

Even though it is not against the law to trap and kill coyotes, the SPCA investigation of the animal killings will continue because dumping carcasses within 150 yards of an occupied dwelling is a misdemeanor.

Since it appears that the animals were killed for their pelts, SPCA officers are speculating that the animals were trapped in the Sierra and brought to Los Angeles, SPCA Lt. Charles Reed said. Coyotes in the Sierra would grow longer, thicker and more valuable pelts, Reed said.

“Urban coyotes’ pelts are pretty scruffy and brown and are unwelcome in the fur industry,” said Larry Sitton, associate biologist with the state Department of Fish and Game.

A good quality pelt could be purchased at auctions or wholesale for $50 to $150 and could become part of a coat that would sell for between $4,000 and $6,000, according to Jeffrey Lehman, a vice president of Somper Furs in Beverly Hills. However, Lehman said, it is unlikely that a furrier would purchase one or two pelts from an individual.

Found in Alley

The first skinned carcass was found in an alley behind Ralphs Grocery Market, 5951 E. Del Amo Blvd., in early December. A few weeks later two more were found behind a Carl’s Jr. fast-food outlet at 5535 Del Amo Blvd. On April 8, the last one was found behind Carl’s. The remains were stuffed in plastic trash bags and left beside dumpsters.

Public outrage that arose when it was believed that someone was killing dogs led to the creation of a reward fund that has taken in $8,000 in contributions, in addition to $1,000 provided by the SPCA. On Thursday, the SPCA called donors to tell them of the latest developments and to ask that the fund be maintained.

“All agreed. It doesn’t matter that it’s a coyote. It is cruelty. It is atrocious. The reward is still being offered,” said Renee Sheranian, SPCA director of development.