Police and Arizona Game and Fish Department officials are working to remove several coyotes in north Peoria that have bitten three people in the Vistanica neighborhood since Monday.

A community meeting is planned for 7 p.m. Thursday at the Kiva Club, near Vistancia Boulevard and El Mirage Road.

The incidents began when a woman was bitten on the ankle Monday evening while sitting on her back porch. When police officers responded to the bite call, they shot and killed one of three coyotes they found nearby, according to a Game and Fish release.

The following day, a woman was bitten on the chest while reclining on a chair and a man was bitten on the calf, both while sitting on their porches around 3 p.m.

Game and Fish officials said the bites are unsual, with only 18 documented bites to humans by coyotes in the past 15 years in Maricopa County.

Officials said the majority of these bites were caused by illegal feedings of coyotes by residents or territorial defense instincts by adult coyotes.

"We believe territorial or breeding behavior is what precipitated these animals' aggressive behavior in these incidents," said Darren Julian, urban wildlife specialist for Game and Fish. "Bites from any type of wildlife are uncommon, especially this many bites to humans in such a short span of time."

But officials added that in the Vistancia incidents, none of the actions of the bite victims could be construed as provoking an attack, nor was there any food or other attractants directly associated with the bite incidents.

Game and Fish officials said feeding wild animals like coyotes is illegal in Maricopa and Pima counties and cautioned people to stay away from animals accompanied by their young.

Police and Game and Fish officials will meet with residents 7 p.m. Thursday at the Kiva Club at Trilogy at Vistancia. The Kiva Club is near Vistancia Boulevard and El Mirage Road.

Reporter Lisa Halverstadt contributed to this article.