Wildlife Care of Southern California said the damage was too severe to repair, and that keeping Wendy alive would not have been humane
Credit: Wildlife Care of Southern California/Facebook
NEED TO KNOW
- A coyote named Wendy, identifiable by her large facial growth, was euthanized after being found with severe injuries
- Veterinarians discovered the coyote had been shot, causing an infection that destroyed part of her jawbone
- A $10,000 reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest of the person who shot her
A coyote who captured the hearts of a Southern California community has been euthanized after veterinarians discovered the cause of the facial growth that made her a viral sensation: a gunshot wound.
Wildlife Care of Southern California, the rescue organization that captured the coyote known as Wendy, announced her death on Tuesday, Sept. 8. Wendy had wandered the San Fernando Valley for more than a year with a large growth on the left side of her face, drawing widespread concern from Studio City residents who spotted her looking for food and followed her story online.
As PEOPLE previously reported, the organization spent weeks tracking her down to treat her and return her to the wild. According to a Sept. 9 Facebook postfrom Wildlife Care of Southern California, after Wendy was safely captured, an examination and diagnostic imaging showed two pellets lodged in Wendy’s head, indicating she had been shot with a pellet gun at some point, the organization said. An infection caused by the pellet gun wound had destroyed the upper jawbone on the left side of her face. Wildlife Care of Southern California said her injuries were consistent with both a pellet gun and being struck by a vehicle.
Credit: Wildlife Care of Southern California/Facebook
“The extent of the damage was so severe that there was no surgery or treatment capable of restoring normal function,” Wildlife Care of Southern California shared in the Facebook post. The group said Wendy would have required a soft-food diet for the rest of her life and could never have returned to the wild or lived a normal life in captivity.
“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 added.
After her capture, the roughly 3-year-old coyote received antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medication and was fed soft foods. Wildlife Care of Southern California said she was safe and comfortable during the week she spent in its care.
Rescuers marveled at how long she had survived, adding, “It is difficult to comprehend how much this young coyote endured over the course of the past year,” describing her “remarkable endurance.”
In response to Wendy’s injuries, Southern California Pit Bull Rescue announced it is offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of whoever shot Wendy. “Someone shot her. Someone may know who did it,” the group wrote in a Sept. 9 Instagram post, urging anyone with information to come forward.
“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,” Wildlife Care of Southern California said, “helped with her capture, donated towards her care, and held hope for recovery.”
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