Coyote Patrols to Continue as Park Reopens

Cheeseboro Canyon Park in Agoura Hills will reopen today after rangers failed to sight vicious coyotes that attacked one visitor and stalked others last weekend, National Park Service officials said.

After three dusk-to-dark patrols by rangers, five lone coyotes were found. In each sighting, the animals shied away when approached. No coyotes have been lured into non-lethal traps.

Rangers, prepared to shoot dangerous coyotes, were to be on patrol Friday night.

The 2,100-acre park in the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area was closed for the first time in its eight-year history on Tuesday, after visitors reported that a pack of aggressive coyotes was roaming the trails.

Agoura Man Injured

In the most serious incident, an Agoura man was bitten and scratched on the arm in an attack by three coyotes. In two other incidents, yelping coyotes chased hikers and horseback riders. One couple said they were stalked for more than a mile.

In two less serious coyote encounters, equestrians reported that a pack of five coyotes surrounded their horses, but were scared off.

In reopening the park, officials warned that visitors with unleashed dogs will be cited. In four of the five encounters with coyotes, stray or unleashed dogs had tagged along.

Rangers will continue evening patrols “into the near future,� a park spokeswoman said, and at least one mounted ranger will patrol during the day.