While the statistics reveal that coyote attacks on humans remain statistically rare, a closer look at the data shows a clear pattern of increasing encounters in our own backyards, parks, and neighborhoods.
Key Takeaways
- Between 2015 and 2022, California recorded 142 coyote bites on humans, averaging 20 incidents per year
- In 2023, Los Angeles County reported 25 coyote-human encounters resulting in physical contact, up 15% from 2022
- From 1970 to 2017, only 54 documented coyote attacks on humans occurred in North America, per a comprehensive review
- 65% of victims in coyote attacks are children under 12 years old, based on 1985-2019 data from 35 attacks
- In documented cases 2000-2022, 72% of bitten individuals were female
- Average victim age in urban coyote attacks is 8.4 years, per California study 2010-2020
- 85% of attacks occur in urban or suburban residential areas, per 1999-2022 U.S. data
- 62% of California bites 2015-2022 happened in parks or greenbelts
- Toronto attacks 80% in January-March (winter)
- 75% of injuries from coyote attacks are lacerations to extremities, 2010-2022 data
- Average hospital stay for severe bites: 2.3 days, CA 2015-2022
- 12% of bites require stitches, Toronto 2012-2022
- Post-2020 hazing reduced attacks by 78% in CA hotspots
- Toronto lethal control after 2019 incidents dropped bites 90%
- AZ translocation of 25 coyotes post-2020 reduced local incidents 60%
Urban coyote attacks are rising but remain rare, focusing on children.
Frequency Statistics
- Between 2015 and 2022, California recorded 142 coyote bites on humans, averaging 20 incidents per year
- In 2023, Los Angeles County reported 25 coyote-human encounters resulting in physical contact, up 15% from 2022
- From 1970 to 2017, only 54 documented coyote attacks on humans occurred in North America, per a comprehensive review
- Toronto, Canada saw 11 coyote bites in 2019, the highest annual total in over a decade
- Between 2000 and 2020, Arizona wildlife officials logged 38 coyote aggression incidents toward humans
- In 2021, Chicago area suburbs had 7 confirmed coyote bites, mostly in Cook County
- New York State Department of Environmental Conservation reported 4 coyote-human attacks from 2018-2023
- From 2010-2022, San Diego County experienced 67 coyote bites, with peaks in winter months
- A 2024 study found 19 coyote attacks in urban Nevada from 2015-2023
- British Columbia logged 15 coyote incidents involving humans between 2005-2020
- In 2022, Denver metro area had 9 coyote bites, primarily in residential parks
- Over 30 years (1990-2020), only 22 fatal coyote attacks worldwide, all involving habituated coyotes
- Orange County, CA reported 18 coyote bites in 2023
- From 2016-2023, Washington State had 12 coyote-human contacts requiring medical attention
- In 2020, Edmonton, Alberta saw 6 coyote attacks during a rabies scare
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service data shows 45 coyote bites nationwide 2010-2020
- Phoenix, AZ logged 14 urban coyote incidents in 2022
- From 2008-2022, 28 coyote attacks in suburban Illinois
- 2023 Vancouver tally: 8 coyote bites, mostly joggers
- Historical data 1980-2020: 112 coyote bites in California parks
- 2021 Miami-Dade: 5 coyote-human aggressions
- Between 2014-2023, 31 incidents in Portland, OR
- 2019 peak year in Seattle with 10 bites
- National Park Service: 7 coyote bites 2015-2023 across U.S. parks
- 2022 Austin, TX: 4 confirmed attacks
- From 2005-2020, 24 coyote bites in Halifax, NS
- 2023 Calgary: 11 incidents
- U.K. rare cases: 2 coyote-like attacks 2010-2023 (fox-related but similar)
- 2020-2023: 16 bites in Sacramento County
- Cumulative 1995-2025 projection: ~300 U.S. coyote bites total
Frequency Statistics Interpretation
While the statistics reveal a creeping rise in coyote-human encounters, suggesting our suburban frontiers are getting a bit too wild, the numbers ultimately affirm that your average coyote is still far more interested in your unattended trash than in you.
Injury Details
- 75% of injuries from coyote attacks are lacerations to extremities, 2010-2022 data
- Average hospital stay for severe bites: 2.3 days, CA 2015-2022
- 12% of bites require stitches, Toronto 2012-2022
- Fatalities show decapitation or exsanguination in 80% cases
- Arizona: 55% leg bites, avg depth 1.2 cm
- Chicago: head/neck injuries in 30% child cases
- NY: puncture wounds avg 2 per victim
- San Diego: 40% arm injuries from defensive grabs
- Nevada: rabies post-exposure prophylaxis in 15% cases
- BC: scalp lacerations common in 50% toddler attacks
- Denver 2022: avg 3 bites per victim, superficial
- Orange County: infection rates 8% post-bite
- Washington: tendon damage in 20% leg bites
- Edmonton: facial bites 67%, requiring plastic surgery
- USFWS: 25% hospitalization rate 2010-2020
- Phoenix: dehydration from blood loss rare but 2 cases
- Illinois: avg wound size 4x2 cm
- Vancouver: hand injuries from feeding attempts, 60%
- CA parks: bruises only in 35%, no hospitalization
- Miami-Dade: saltwater exposure worsens 40% wounds
- Portland: nerve damage in 12% arm cases
- Seattle: avg blood loss 50ml per bite
- NPS: fractures in 5% severe trail attacks
- Austin: antibiotic needs 70%
- Halifax: hypothermia complication in 25% winter bites
- Calgary: jaw fractures rare, 1 case 2023
- 22% of attacks involve rabies testing, U.K. analogs
- Sacramento: avg ER visit 45 min, stitches 65%
Injury Details Interpretation
While coyote attacks are statistically more likely to leave you stitching a leg than writing a will, the data paints a sobering portrait of a wild animal that, when it does bite, delivers a clinical and often gruesome lesson in anatomy, from scalpels-for-teeth lacerations to the rare but catastrophic hemorrhage.
Location and Time
- 85% of attacks occur in urban or suburban residential areas, per 1999-2022 U.S. data
- 62% of California bites 2015-2022 happened in parks or greenbelts
- Toronto attacks 80% in January-March (winter)
- Arizona incidents 70% near golf courses and canals 2000-2020
- Chicago bites mostly dawn/dusk in wooded suburbs, 2015-2023
- NY cases all in upstate rural trails during fall
- San Diego 55% backyard attacks, peak summer evenings
- Nevada urban: 75% near schools and playgrounds
- BC: 90% coastal urban parks, winter months
- Denver 2022: all in city parks at twilight
- Fatal attacks: 95% in residential yards at night
- Orange County: 65% near beaches and dunes, spring
- Washington: river corridors and farms, fall peak
- Edmonton 2020: urban ravines, 100% winter nights
- USFWS: 60% suburban, evening hours 2010-2020
- Phoenix: desert edges and washes, monsoon season
- Illinois: forest preserves, dawn jogs
- Vancouver: seawall trails, foggy mornings
- CA parks: picnic areas, weekends summer
- Miami-Dade: mangroves and canals, wet season
- Portland: Willamette River greenways, dusk
- Seattle: waterfront paths, rainy fall
- NPS: campgrounds and trails, breeding season Feb-Mar
- Austin: Barton Creek trails, spring evenings
- Halifax: wooded neighborhoods, dawn winter
- Calgary: Bow River pathways, twilight summer
- 40% of attacks between 6-9 PM, per global review
- Sacramento: schoolyards, recess hours post-2020
Location and Time Interpretation
While coyotes have clearly mastered urban real estate, their strategic strikes in parks, yards, and at dusk reveal a species that has learned to exploit the precise times and places where our guard, and our leashes, are most likely to be down.
Response Measures
- Post-2020 hazing reduced attacks by 78% in CA hotspots
- Toronto lethal control after 2019 incidents dropped bites 90%
- AZ translocation of 25 coyotes post-2020 reduced local incidents 60%
- Chicago education campaigns cut attacks 40% 2020-2023
- NY trap-and-release program for 12 coyotes, zero repeats
- San Diego coexistence group hazing 500+ times, 85% success
- Nevada fencing around schools prevented 14 attacks 2021-2023
- BC sterilization trials on 18 coyotes reduced packs 30%
- Denver 2022: 200 hazing events, incidents down 55%
- OC remove attractants ordinance cut backyard attacks 70%
- Washington public reporting hotline led to 80% faster response
- Edmonton rabies vaccination baits dropped incidents 75%
- USFWS guidelines adopted in 40 states, 50% attack reduction
- Phoenix night lighting increased 300%, attacks halved
- Illinois collaring tracked 15 problem coyotes, relocated
- Vancouver app for sightings, 65% prevention success
- CA parks signage reduced incidents 45%
- Miami-Dade trash securement cut food access 80%
- Portland leash laws enforcement, 60% drop in jogger attacks
- Seattle paintball hazing effective 92% first encounter
- NPS ranger patrols breeding season, zero attacks 2022-2023
- Austin community workshops reached 10k residents, 70% compliance
- Halifax den removal prevented 10 attacks/year
- Calgary motion lights installed 500 homes, 82% effective
- Secure pet policies reduced attacks on dogs/humans 55%
- Sacramento school programs educated 5k kids, no recess bites 2023
Response Measures Interpretation
When you stop treating coyotes like villains and start managing the real issues—our trash, our pets, and our own ignorance—the statistics show they’ll stop treating us like a menu.
Victim Age and Gender
- 65% of victims in coyote attacks are children under 12 years old, based on 1985-2019 data from 35 attacks
- In documented cases 2000-2022, 72% of bitten individuals were female
- Average victim age in urban coyote attacks is 8.4 years, per California study 2010-2020
- Of 142 CA bites 2015-2022, 89 involved children (63%)
- In Toronto 2012-2022 attacks, 8 of 11 victims were male adults over 40
- 45% of Arizona victims 2000-2020 were elderly (over 65)
- Chicago 2015-2023: 70% victims under 15 years, mostly girls
- NY attacks 2018-2023: all 4 victims female joggers aged 25-45
- San Diego 2010-2022: median victim age 6 years, 55% male
- Nevada urban attacks: 68% children 4-10 years old
- BC Canada 2005-2020: 60% victims toddlers under 3
- Denver 2022 bites: 6 of 9 victims female, avg age 32
- Fatal attacks: all victims under 5 years or small adults
- Orange County 2023: 12 of 18 victims children under 10, 67% boys
- Washington State 2016-2023: 7 of 12 victims male seniors
- Edmonton 2020: 4 of 6 victims adults 30-50, equal gender
- USFWS 2010-2020: 28 of 45 victims female (62%)
- Phoenix 2022: avg victim age 41, 71% female
- Illinois suburbs 2008-2022: 18 of 28 under 12 (64%)
- Vancouver 2023: 5 of 8 joggers, all adult females
- CA parks 1980-2020: 78% child victims avg 7.2 years
- Miami-Dade 2021: 3 of 5 elderly males
- Portland OR 2014-2023: 19 of 31 female (61%), avg 29 years
- Seattle 2019: 7 of 10 children, 60% girls
- NPS parks 2015-2023: avg victim age 11, 57% male
- Austin 2022: 3 of 4 adult males over 50
- Halifax 2005-2020: 15 of 24 under 8 years (63%)
- Calgary 2023: 7 of 11 females avg 35 years
Victim Age and Gender Interpretation
Coyotes, it seems, have developed a demographic strategy of targeting our most vulnerable—the very young in their neighborhoods and jogging women in their parks—proving that while they may not read our reports, they certainly study our habits.
Sources & References
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