A coyote known to Studio City residents as Wendy was euthanized after a veterinary examination found a severe infection had destroyed part of her upper jaw and revealed two pellets lodged in her head, the wildlife organization that captured her announced Tuesday.
Wildlife Care of Southern California said diagnostic imaging showed Wendy had apparently been shot at some point and that the infection had destroyed the upper jaw bone on the left side of her face.
“The extent of the damage was so severe that there was no surgery or treatment capable of restoring normal function,” the organization said in a social media post.
Wendy, believed to be about 3 years old, had lived with a large growth or abscess on her face for more than a year and had become familiar to residents in Studio City.
The Simi Valley-based wildlife rehabilitation organization captured her last week after tracking sightings reported by residents since July.
Following her capture, Wendy was given antibiotics and anti- inflammatory medication and fed soft foods she was able to eat despite her condition.
Wildlife Care of Southern California said veterinarians determined she would have required a soft-food diet for the rest of her life and could not have been returned to the wild.
“After consulting together and carefully considering her long-term welfare and quality of life, we collectively determined that keeping her alive under those circumstances would not be humane,” the organization said.
The group said Wendy had been safe and comfortable during the week she spent in its care.
“Although the outcome was not the one any of us had hoped or prayed for, we are deeply grateful to everyone who followed her story, helped with her capture, donated towards her care, and held hope for recovery,” the organization said.
Wildlife Care of Southern California said it planned to release photographs from Wendy’s examination later to document the severity of her condition.