A 44-year-old Eureka man allegedly admitted to putting the body of decapitated coyote into a trash can near a gas pump at the QuikTrip gas station, 290 E. Fourth St. He allegedly told the officer he knew he made a mistake, Eureka Police reported.
Officers were called at about 6:45 p.m. Jan. 25 after the animal’s body was found in the trash can. The body was skinned and was missing a paw, along with its head, the report said.
Surveillance video allegedly showed the man arrive at the gas station at about 6:05 p.m. that day. The man was driving a black 2000 Jeep Wrangler, and he appeared to look around before fueling, according to the report.
While fueling, the man went to the back of the Jeep, and he allegedly appeared to place the animal body into the trash can. He was then seen leaving traveling south on Hwy. 109, the report said.
Officers were able to contact one of the man’s relatives, and he came to the Police Station. The man allegedly brought the coyote’s head and pelt to the station, according to the report.
The man told officers he trapped the coyote in the Pacific Palisades Conservation Area, 1648 Buscher Road, in Pacific. He provided permits for animal trapping in that area, the report said.
The animal carcass was transported to Animal Control to confirm it was a coyote, according to the report.
Eureka Police forwarded the report to the Eureka Municipal Prosecuting Attorney to possibly charge the man for alleged illegal dumping, Lt. Brett Grittini said.