I cried when I came across this fellow yesterday. Although I know him well, he was almost unrecognizable due to the lacerations on both sides of his snout and the resulting swelling. This is part and parcel of being an alpha male coyote: they must defend their territories and families when challenged.
Territorial fights between coyotes can be vicious. I have observed fights such as the one below on numerous occasions in San Francisco, and around this time of year. Notice these two latching onto each other’s snouts without letting go.
Life is hard enough for coyotes without us making it harder for them. Their lives are fabulously rich with family interactions, but also fabulously tough at times. Let’s give them a break whenever we can! [Also see posting on injured father].
[More graphic photos, for those who aren’t squeamish, can be found here: http://www.urbanwildness.com/urbanwildness.com/Tattle-Tails/Pages/Injury.html].
Coyote Yipps 
Oct 06, 2018 @ 06:45:31
There’s someone who calls themself a “Behavioral Ecologist” (never heard of this) who says this was caused by a dog, because, they say, coyotes seldom fight with “conspecifics”. LOL Maybe you should send them this, showing wounds on the nose and the video of the coyotes clamping onto the nose.
Oct 06, 2018 @ 13:27:47
Thank you, Marcia, for commenting. I think what some people learn from books is quite different from reality, which is why I rely on first-hand observations. Could be that this is “book” information.
Oct 07, 2018 @ 03:40:52
Wow. Intense. I feel it. Thank you. XO