Coyote’s Attack at School Rattles Children, Parents

Living up against the foothills in eastern San Clemente, Thomas Newell had seen his share of coyotes late at night as he walked his dog. But Newell never imagined a coyote would invade a playground filled with screaming kids in broad daylight.

But that’s exactly what happened Tuesday. Newell’s daughter and a schoolmate were attacked by a coyote during a lunchtime recess on the playground of their elementary school.

“When you get a call from the school telling you to come get your kid, you expect to hear that they are sick,” Newell said. “It’s shocking to hear they were attacked by a coyote.”

Newell said his daughter, Allison, 8, had a few puncture wounds on her back and scrapes on her back and shoulder after being knocked down from behind by the animal. She also had a stiff neck that limited her head movement. Otherwise, Newell said, Allison was in good spirits and should return to school at Truman Benedict Elementary School today.

The other victim, second-grader Luis Villalobos, attended school Wednesday, but left early after complaining of soreness.

Charlotte Hibsch, the school’s principal, said she knew of no other parents who kept their children home. But some parents walked their children to classrooms and many met with state Fish and Game officials to discuss precautions their children could take if they encounter a coyote.

Hibsch said she wanted to assure parents that their children would be safe. Before teachers and parents arrived at school, Orange County sheriff’s deputies and Fish and Game wardens were already patrolling the foothills above the school. School district employee Geoff Buffum walked the perimeter of the campus.

Buffum, a special education assistant at San Clemente High, has been temporarily reassigned to Benedict.

“I’m mainly keeping an eye on the hills and the playground,” Buffum said. “Should I see anything suspicious, I’ve been told to radio it in so they can alert Fish and Game. If need be, I’ll get in between the coyotes and the kids.”

John Fallan, a Fish and Game warden, said it is not unusual to see coyotes near urban areas at midday. But he said it is odd for the animals to approach a noisy schoolyard.

“There are no absolutes when it comes to wildlife,” Fallan said. “Their population is increasing and their habitat is decreasing. We’re getting calls about them now in Huntington Beach, Tustin, Irvine and Westminster.”

Shortly after the attacks, wildlife specialists from the U.S. Department of Agriculture cornered two coyotes on a nearby hillside and killed them with high-powered rifles. Fallan said two more coyotes were shot Tuesday night.