A local nonprofit wildlife rescue organization is offering a reward for an arrest and conviction in a shooting of a coyote in a neighborhood on the east side.
Supporters of Tucson Wildlife Center have donated about $400 for the reward fund as of Thursday, said Lisa Bates, executive director of the center.
On Tuesday, Arizona Game and Fish received a report of an injured coyote at the corner of North Tanque Verde Loop Road and East Speedway, said Bates. She said officials of the state agency called the wildlife center for help.
The injured female coyote is about 7-months-old. She was tranquilized and transported to the center for treatment.
The coyote was shot several times and has wounds to the neck and abdomen. She remains in guarded condition. She is sedated and a decision was made to "not operate because it can do more damage," Bates said.
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"It is a wait and see situation and we are hoping she can recover to be released back to her coyote parents. Right now she can't even get up," Bates said. "We do our best to give animals a second chance."
Bates said it is illegal to shoot a weapon within a quarter mile of a residential area, and a shame "to shoot an animal in her own home territory."
Donations to the reward fund can be made by calling 290-9453 or go to the center's website at www.tucsonwildlife.com
If there is no arrest or conviction in the coyote case, the donations will remain in the fund for future cases, said Bates.
Contact reporter Carmen Duarte at cduarte@tucson.com or 573-4104. Twitter: @cduartestar
