Horrifically deformed coyote prowling SoCal town euthanized — as vets reveal shocking reason for its injuries

A beloved Studio City coyote whose bizarre facial deformity turned her into a local celebrity has died, and veterinarians uncovered a horrifying secret behind the gruesome injury.

The young coyote, affectionately nicknamed “Wendy” by residents, was euthanized after a veterinary examination revealed that two pellets had been lodged in her head, Wildlife Care of Southern California announced Tuesday on social media.

The discovery came after rescuers spent weeks tracking down the approximately 3-year-old animal, who had been spotted roaming the Southern California community for more than a year with a massive growth protruding from the left side of her face.

Wildlife Care of Southern California had hoped to capture Wendy, treat her injury and eventually return her to the wild.

Instead, rescuers learned that the damage was far worse than they had feared.

Diagnostic imaging showed that Wendy had apparently been shot at some point in the past, leaving two pellets embedded in her skull. Over time, the resulting infection had ravaged her face, destroying the upper jawbone on the left side entirely.

By the time Wendy was examined, veterinarians determined that there was no realistic surgery or treatment that could restore normal function to her face.

The bone was gone.

Even if she survived, she would have needed to eat soft food for the rest of her life, making a return to the wild impossible.

“Her strength carried her for as long as her body possibly could,” Wildlife Care of Southern California said in a heartbreaking Facebook post.

The organization said rescuers ultimately decided that keeping Wendy alive under those circumstances would only prolong her suffering.

During her final week in care, however, Wendy was reportedly comfortable, receiving medication and surrounded by people who had fought to save her.

Her death marks the heartbreaking end to a saga that captivated Studio City residents and animal lovers online.

Before she was captured, photos of Wendy showed the shocking mass spreading across the left side of her face, sparking a frenzy of concern, and some decidedly less sympathetic internet jokes.

One social media user joked that the coyote had been “beat up by an orange cat,” while another quipped that she appeared to have been struck by an anvil.

But behind the viral images was a badly injured wild animal that had apparently been surviving with excruciating damage for months.

Wildlife Care of Southern California said Wendy’s case demonstrated just how remarkably resilient wild animals can be.

Despite suffering a devastating gunshot injury, a severe infection and the loss of part of her jaw, Wendy continued searching for food and navigating life in the neighborhood.

Rescuers said they chose not to immediately release images from her examination because they did not want her final memory to be defined by the gruesome extent of her injuries.

Instead, they remembered Wendy for her “fierce will to survive” and the wild spirit that inspired people throughout Studio City and far beyond.

“This is no life for a 3-year-old coyote,” the organization said.

While Wendy could not be saved, rescuers said the outpouring of support from residents, donors and volunteers gave her something she desperately needed in her final days — safety, medical care and freedom from pain.

“Godspeed little girl,” the organization wrote.

Southern California Pit Bull Rescue posted that they are offering a $10,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person who is responsible for shooting Wendy.

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