Coyote Stalks & Chases Screaming 3-Year-Old in California Driveway

Surveillance video captures terrifying encounter, prompting warnings for families to be vigilant

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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A 3-year-old boy in Pasadena, California had a terrifying encounter with a coyote that stalked and chased him in the family's driveway, as captured on home surveillance footage. The boy's mother, Aida Svelto, said she had seen coyotes in the neighborhood before but never expected one to go after her young son, Salvo. Experts say the coyote was likely curious rather than a predator, and that the child's screaming and running triggered the animal's response, underscoring the importance of teaching children how to properly react to coyote encounters.

Why it matters

Coyote sightings and encounters with humans, especially children, are on the rise in many urban and suburban areas as the animals adapt to living in closer proximity to people. This incident highlights the need for families to be vigilant about coyote activity in their neighborhoods and educate themselves and their children on how to respond safely if they encounter the animals.

The details

The surveillance video shows the coyote stalking and then chasing the 3-year-old boy, Salvo Bessemer, as he ran screaming towards his mother, Aida Svelto. Svelto said she had seen coyotes in the area before but this one seemed larger and more aggressive than usual. Coyote expert Rebecca Dmytryk of Humane Wildlife Control Inc. analyzed the video and said the coyote was likely more curious than predatory, and that Salvo's screaming and running triggered the animal's response, even though coyotes typically avoid humans. Dmytryk emphasized the importance of teaching children not to run from coyotes, as that can provoke an unwanted reaction.

  • The incident occurred on February 25, 2026 in Pasadena, California.

The players

Salvo Bessemer

A 3-year-old boy who was stalked and chased by a coyote in his family's driveway.

Aida Svelto

Salvo's mother, who witnessed the coyote encounter and warned other families to be vigilant about coyote activity in their neighborhoods.

Rebecca Dmytryk

The CEO of Humane Wildlife Control Inc. and a coyote expert who analyzed the surveillance footage and provided insights on the animal's behavior.

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What they’re saying

“We have seen them, but they typically just stay on the street. I really didn't feel nervous. Now I'm nervous. This one was bigger and scarier, and I just really didn't think that he would go after a kid. It's one thing to see them go after a chihuahua or rabbit or whatever, but he's pretty big, so it was scary.”

— Aida Svelto, Salvo's mother (KABC)

“I could read the coyote, and what I read, was it was more curious and it was triggered by the child running. Running is not a good thing to do, whether you're an adult or a child. Turning and running, and then the scream sounded like a rabbit screaming.”

— Rebecca Dmytryk, CEO, Humane Wildlife Control Inc. (KTLA)

What’s next

Experts recommend that families in areas with coyote activity educate themselves and their children on how to properly respond if they encounter the animals, such as by remaining calm, standing tall, and backing away slowly rather than running.

The takeaway

This incident serves as a stark reminder for families living in or near coyote habitats to be vigilant about their surroundings, teach children how to react safely, and take steps to deter coyotes from entering residential areas, in order to prevent potentially dangerous encounters.