Coyote Chases Toddler Outside Pasadena Home

Security camera footage captures frightening encounter between 3-year-old and wild animal.

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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A security camera outside a Pasadena home captured a terrifying incident where a 3-year-old boy was chased by a coyote up his driveway. The boy's mother, Aida Svelto, screamed to scare the coyote away, but it lingered and watched them from the trees.

Why it matters

Coyote sightings and encounters are becoming more common in urban and suburban neighborhoods across Southern California, raising concerns about public safety, especially for young children. This incident highlights the need for residents to be vigilant and take precautions to deter coyotes from entering residential areas.

The details

The security camera footage shows 3-year-old Salvo Bessemer running back up the driveway towards his home, with a coyote chasing closely behind him. Svelto said she grabbed onto Salvo's legs as he ran inside, and then tried to scare the coyote away with her screams, but it remained nearby, watching them from the trees.

  • The incident occurred on Monday afternoon.

The players

Aida Svelto

The mother of 3-year-old Salvo Bessemer, who witnessed the coyote chasing her son and tried to scare the animal away.

Salvo Bessemer

A 3-year-old boy who was chased by a coyote up the driveway of his Pasadena home.

Niltzyn Camacho

A wildlife expert at the Pasadena Humane Center who provided insights on coyote behavior and recommended ways for residents to deter coyotes from entering their neighborhoods.

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What they’re saying

“He grabs onto my legs, I look up, and there is a big, huge coyote.”

— Aida Svelto (CBS News Los Angeles)

“I waited a second, we came outside, and I said, 'Look, Sal, the coyote is gone.' The coyote was not gone. It was right there, just staring at us, so then I screamed again.”

— Aida Svelto (CBS News Los Angeles)

“I don't know if he was chasing him, wanting to bite him ... looking for food. I don't know, but it was scary. I don't want him venturing out, going to play in trees ... I respect coyotes, we shared the land with them, but I don't want them in the gate.”

— Aida Svelto (CBS News Los Angeles)

“An aggressive coyote would be one that's lunging at you, bearing the teeth, one that's growling, all similar signs to a dog.”

— Niltzyn Camacho, Wildlife Expert, Pasadena Humane Center (CBS News Los Angeles)

What’s next

Pasadena officials are urging residents to be vigilant and take precautions to deter coyotes, such as securing trash, removing pet food, and making loud noises to scare them away if spotted. The city's Humane Center is also providing educational resources to help residents coexist safely with the wild animals.

The takeaway

This incident serves as a stark reminder that coyotes are becoming more prevalent in urban and suburban neighborhoods, and parents must be extra cautious to protect young children from potential encounters. Residents should heed the advice of wildlife experts to take proactive measures to discourage coyotes from entering their communities.