Curious coyote may be euthanized

Conservation officers on hunt for animal that startled a child in Surrey

Conservation officers may have to destroy a coyote in Surrey that startled a four-year-old girl early Monday evening, causing minor injuries.

Around 6 p.m. Monday, the young girl and her brother were playing in a field beside Mary Jane Shannon Elementary School near 144th Street and 108th Avenue when the coyote approached them, according to Murray Smith, Lower Mainland inspector for the B.C. Conservation Officer Service.

The coyote came within a metre of the children and, as they fled, the girl fell down and suffered abrasions and scratches on her face, Smith said. Early reports that the coyote made contact with the child were incorrect, he added.

Surrey Fire and B.C. Ambulance services arrived and assessed the girl, who was treated on scene. Smith said he didn’t know where her parents were at the time.

On Tuesday, conservation officers visited the school to provide coyote-safety information. An officer was sent to patrol the area surrounding the school, in case the curious coyote returned.

“If the coyote comes in, the Conservation Officer Service is prepared to euthanize it,” Smith said. “It’s exhibited a couple of habits that are concerning to us around our public-safety mandate.”

Smith said a key concern is that the primarily nocturnal coyote came out during daytime and approached humans, both highly unusual behaviours for coyotes — but something officers have seen before.

“Almost always, the coyote’s been fed by someone on an ongoing basis, whether it’s the children at the school or somebody in the neighbourhood,” Smith said. “It’s gotten used to people and lost its fear of people.”

Smith said the service recommends that those who come across coyotes “make themselves large,” raise their hands above their heads, make noise and throw objects in their direction to instil fear of humans.

Incidences of children being bitten are extremely rare, he added.

An information sheet posted to the Surrey school district’s website has recommendations for those who come across a coyote:

1. Instruct your child to stay away from any animal they don’t know. Children should tell an adult if they think they have seen a coyote.

2. Keep pets under your control and supervision. If you must let your pet out unattended, provide a secure space for it to exercise.

3. Never feed coyotes. Our best defence is to keep them wild.

4. Be careful not to feed coyotes unintentionally. For example, they are attracted to: Improperly contained garbage; Open composts containing fruit or vegetables;

Fruit that has fallen from trees and been left on the ground to rot;

An overflowing bird feeder (they will eat the grain, as well as the small mammals this food attracts);

Pet food.

5. Fencing helps discourage coyotes from entering your yard. Make sure fences are flush to the ground and in good repair.