LAKE ARROWHEAD, Calif. -- California Department of Fish and Game officers said Thursday they are working around-the-clock with trappers and Animal Control to get-a-handle on the coyote situation in the Inland Empire.

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Officials said their latest reported encounter involved a baby coyote following a family dog inside a home through a doggie-door. The animal quickly left when residents screamed, KNBC's Mary Parks reported.

After three encounters with coyotes in San Bernardino County, Fish and Game officers very gingerly placed animal traps in Lake Arrowhead on Thursday in hopes of catching the coyote that attacked 2-year-old Rachel Rowley on Tuesday.

Rowley was bit her on the head and mouth before her mother could stop the attack.

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The victim's mother, Melissa Rowley, said she was taking photos of her three children outside a home on Laurel Drive. Rowley stepped inside her house for less than 20 seconds to put her camera away when the coyote ran up to her children, Park reported.

Fish and Game officer Shanley Matthew posted warning notices of the traps for residents to clearly see. Residents said they have seen the coyote roaming the neighborhood for several weeks, but no one thought to call Animal Control.

Trappers have also worked areas around Chino Hills State Park, where one coyote bit a toddler May 2.

That attack happened at Alterra Park in Chino Hills. A nanny pulled the 2-year-old girl from the jaws of a coyote. The girl suffered wounds to her buttocks and was treated at a hospital.

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On May 3, a man said a coyote walked toward his children but was quickly shooed away.

Coyote attacks often arise due to new pups, warmer weather and the increase of food demands, said Brian Cronin of the Animal Control Chief for San Bernardino County's Department of Public Health.

On its Web site, Fish and Game offered the following precautions for coyote-country residents:

• Never feed or attempt to tame coyotes. The result may be deadly conflicts with pets or livestock, or serious injuries to small children.
• Do not leave small children or pets outside unattended.
• Install motion-sensitive lighting around the house.
• Trim ground-level shrubbery to reduce hiding places.
• Be aware that coyotes are more active in the spring, when feeding and protecting their young.
• If followed by a coyote, make loud noises. If this fails, throw rocks in the animal's direction.
• If a coyote attacks a person, immediately contact the nearest Department of Fish and Game or law enforcement office.