A San Francisco neighborhood is on alert after a coyote was spotted on an elementary school campus. Jean Elle reports.
A San Francisco neighborhood is on alert after a coyote was spotted on an elementary school campus.
Parents spotted the wild animal on the playground at Commodore Sloat School before classes started Monday morning.
Parent Annie Wu said she was the coyote and is scared because her children attend the school.
Animal Care and Control said the coyote activity is on the rise in neighborhoods around the school. In March, a coyote killed a dog in Balboa Terrace.
A warning sign is now posted near the playground at Commodore Sloat. Principal Greg John in response is also teaching the community about coyotes.
"For the children I wanted them not to think this is a dog that is friendly," John said.
The principal is telling students if they come across a coyote to step back, go inside and tell an adult.
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Some parents said it is time to thin the coyote population, but others are not sure what should happen next.
"I'm not in favor of killing coyotes because someone could get hurt," parent Bog St. Onge said. "If there was a real danger then that's reason to act."
Animal Care and Control said it is getting ready to launch a widespread education campaign targeted at this part of the city. It is also talking about calling a community meeting to answer questions and let people know how to scare coyotes away.
