Скачать или смотреть Burlington investigates two recent coyote attacks in the city

Burlington says it is investigating two recent coyote attacks on people in South Central Burlington.

The city hasn’t identified the victims but says the first was a woman who was out for a morning run along the path off Seneca Avenue and Lakeshore. The coyote jumped and bit her from behind.

The next involved a 2.5-year-old toddler who was in their fenced backyard. The young boy was attacked and bit on the back of the neck. No food or pets were with the child to entice the coyote.

While both people were taken to hospital and released, the concern still lingers.

The city says it has followed up with the families, tracked and located the suspected coyote, and have engaged the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, police, and a licensed wildlife trapper for “a coordinated, urgent response to eliminate the coyote.”

“The City of Burlington is responsible for taking appropriate actions to manage resident encounters with coyotes and take appropriate action on municipal property. On the rare occasion that a coyote attacks a person, the City has a Council approved protocol in place that is currently being followed to prioritize and deal with the coyote in question,” the city said in a news release.

The city is asking anyone who sees a coyote to submit an online report or call 905-335-3030. It says coyote sightings are common in Burlington because the city’s green spaces and forested areas provide a habitat for them.

While coyotes will generally avoid humans, they can pose a threat to pets, such as cats and small dogs. The city says they play an important role in balancing the ecosystem in southern Ontario by controlling the population of rabbits, rats and mice.

The city says residents can take these steps to help reduce the risk of potential coyote conflicts.

While naturally wary of humans, coyotes will seek food and shelter in residential neighbourhoods when the opportunity arises. The city says:

Never feed coyotes

Feeding coyotes, directly or indirectly, teaches them to depend on human handouts and can cause them to become too familiar with humans. This familiarization can lead to aggressive behaviour around people and pets.

Never leave pets unattended

Coyotes may see pets as a threat to their territory and may attack, especially when there is a den site nearby. Always keep dogs on a short leash (less than six feet long) when walking outdoors and avoid retractable leashes. Make sure your cats and dogs are not unattended, especially at night, even in your fenced backyard.

Keep a tidy property

Residential neighbourhoods are an ideal coyote habitat with access to water, shelter and food sources like garbage, pet food, fruit tress and birdfeeders. Make sure your property is tidy and clear of garbage, food, brush, long grass and wood piles which are ideal den sites for coyotes or other wild animals that attract coyotes.

Inspect your property

Make sure spaces around and under decks, sheds and similar structures are closed off with wire screening that extends at least 20 centimetres under the ground.

Consistently haze coyotes

Deterring coyotes takes vigilance. The city says consistent efforts by the entire community to haze coyotes can help to re-instill their fear of humans and discourage unwelcome behaviour.

The city also recommends to use one or more of these hazing techniques every time you see a coyote to help move it out of a residential area:

Yell loudly

Wave your arms and make yourself look as big as possible
Use air horns, whistles, bang pots
Throw small rocks, large sticks, cans and/or rubber balls at the coyote
Spray the coyote with water from a garden hose or a water gun filled with vinegar.
If a coyote approaches, residents are reminded to:
Stop. Don’t run.

Pick up small children and pets
Stand as tall as you can
Make noise, be as loud as you can, shout “go away”
Wave your arms and stomp your feet
Use hazing techniquesBack away slowly
Report coyote sightings online at www.burlington.ca/coyote
Call Burlington’s Animal Services at 905-335-3030 if you see an aggressive, sick or injured coyote
Call 9-1-1- if a coyote poses an immediate threat or danger to public safety.
The City is working towards being more proactive to prevent attacks, including working with a community group from Burlington and Oakville.