Bloody Animal Footprints Alarm East Manhattan Beach Residents
Dec 16, 2025 12:19PM ● By MB News Staff
UPDATE, December 19 – City animal control officials have investigated the matter described in this post, and they believe that the paw prints are very likely those of a large pet dog, not a coyote.
The discovery of the footprints on Monday morning came in the wake of reports of a dog getting loose from owners in the downtown area during Sunday night's fireworks show, running away in a panic.
The trail of footprints in east Manhattan was visible starting at Sepulveda Blvd., and continued east on 5th Street to the cul-de-sac past Harkness, an official told MB News.
Dogs running such a distance on pavement can shred the "pads" on their paws, causing continuous bleeding like what was evident in the trail of prints.
City officials continue to investigate, asking neighbors about what they might have seen, and seeking out the owner of the reported lost dog.
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A trail of bloody footprints wound through the streets of East Manhattan Beach on Monday, alarming early morning dog-walkers and other neighborhood residents.
The discovery of the footprints on Monday morning came in the wake of reports of a dog getting loose from owners in the downtown area during Sunday night's fireworks show, running away in a panic.
The trail of footprints in east Manhattan was visible starting at Sepulveda Blvd., and continued east on 5th Street to the cul-de-sac past Harkness, an official told MB News.
Dogs running such a distance on pavement can shred the "pads" on their paws, causing continuous bleeding like what was evident in the trail of prints.
City officials continue to investigate, asking neighbors about what they might have seen, and seeking out the owner of the reported lost dog.
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A trail of bloody footprints wound through the streets of East Manhattan Beach on Monday, alarming early morning dog-walkers and other neighborhood residents.
The footprints, wet with fresh blood, could be seen in the vicinity of 5th and 6th Streets, at one point running all the way from Rowell to for five straight blocks up to Redondo Ave.
Could they have been tracks from a dog - or a coyote?
The idea that a dog or coyote was tracking blood from a victim seems less likely, because the blood was just as vibrant and fresh at each footstep and did not seem to fade at any point along the trail. More likely the animal had been injured and the blood was its own.
What to Do If You See a Coyote
There have been several coyote sightings recently in Manhattan Beach. To read more about behavior and trends of coyotes in Manhattan Beach, see "Everything You Wanted to Know About Manhattan Beach Coyotes."
City officials have also provided the following information about coyotes:
If you encounter a coyote and it sees you:
- Keep a safe distance.
- Clap hands, make noise (e.g., whistle, noisemaker), and allow it to move away on its own.
If you encounter a coyote and it approaches you:
- Make yourself look bigger by lifting and waving arms.
- Make noise by yelling, using noisemakers, or whistles. If small children are present, keep them close to you.
If you encounter a coyote and it attempts to attack a person or pet:
- Get to a safe location.
- If a person was bitten or scratched by the coyote,
call 9-1-1 and seek medical attention.
Contact the Manhattan Beach Police Department Animal Control (310) 802-5160 for more information and to report a sighting.
