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By Jack Beresford
Senior Reporter
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A Maltese puppy who lost a leg in a vicious coyote attack and spent 180 days in isolation at a California shelter has taken a first significant step toward freedom.
Last week, staff at San Diego Humane Society hosted a celebration in honor of Churro, a 10-month-old puppy, who has just completed a six-month quarantine and, with it, closed the book on an ordeal that could easily have broken this sweet, affectionate dog.
On September 6, 2025, Churro was rushed to San Diego Humane Society, still only a tiny puppy, but in a distressing condition that required urgent attention.
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Earlier, Churro had been found in a backyard in a local San Diego neighborhood. One of his limbs had been ripped from his body, and he had a serious neck wound. The horrific injuries had occurred in what authorities suspect was a brutal coyote attack.
Though such attacks are rare, California has consistently been identified as a hotspot. A study by the University of Utah, which looked at documented attacks on humans in the period 1977 to 2015, found 165 out of the 367 total came out of California.
There are no official figures, but plenty of residents have also reported cases of coyotes attacking pets, with small dogs viewed as especially vulnerable. It is not clear how Churro came to be in such proximity to a coyote or what his life was prior to the attack, but when he arrived at San Diego Humane Society, it was clear immediate action was needed.
Churro underwent a lifesaving left forelimb amputation and treatment for severe neck wounds, at the Pilar & Chuck Bahde Center for Shelter Medicine.
Due to the fact it was suspected he had been attacked by a coyote and because Churro had not been previously vaccinated, the law required he undergo a six-month rabies quarantine.
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That guarantee was completed with the help of everyone at the shelter. The staff were on hand to celebrate the occasion with a party that put Churro front and center.
The celebration was a milestone not just for Churro, but also for his foster mom, San Diego Humane Society Veterinary Manager Dr. Sylvia Nagy. "From the moment he came in for emergency surgery, to his final day of quarantine, he has shown us nothing but bravery," she said. "We’ve waited 180 days to say, ‘you can now pet him.’ He’s officially rabies-free, healthy and more than ready to bring joy to a new family."
San Diego Humane Society released a video showing Churro enjoying cuddles and pets aplenty with staff there. A shelter spokesperson said: "Churro, who is navigating life as a ‘tripawd’ quite well, proves that even the smallest survivors can have the biggest hearts."
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