Young Coyote Survives Illegal Steel Trap Near Fairfield, Released Back to the Wild After Rehab

A young female coyote is back in the wild after surviving a brush with one of the most dangerous devices found in California’s open spaces. The animal was discovered caught in a steel-jawed leg-hold trap near Fairfield, staked into the ground off Suisun Valley and Rockville roads. The trap was completely illegal, as California law bans these devices except for narrow government exceptions.

The coyote was brought to the Solano Wildlife Rescue and Education Center, where founder Amy Pedrioli described the traps as“super, super horrible”and“barbaric.”The young animal suffered soft-tissue injuries and spent two and a half weeks recovering before she was released back into the wild. The center is using her story to warn locals about the danger these traps pose to pets, wildlife, and even people. Anyone caught setting a steel-jawed leg-hold trap faces fines between $300 and $2,000 plus up to a year in jail.

Authorities have not yet identified who set the trap, and the rescue center is asking residents to stay alert when outdoors. If you see a trap or suspicious device while hiking or walking your dog, don’t touch it. Contact local authorities or the Solano Wildlife Rescue and Education Center so it can be safely removed. Have you ever seen something like this while exploring the outdoors around Sacramento or Solano County? Let us know in the comments.