Residents raise concerns over coyote conundrum
The city is urging residents to be on the lookout as it deals with coyotes in the community.
Experts from the city, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, and Coyote Watch Canada were on hand at an information session Monday evening to answer questions about how to deal with and coexist with coyotes.
Several concerned residents at the session urged the city to do more about stopping people from feeding the wild animals, which encourages them to stay in certain areas. Dawna Wightman was emotional as she recounted what happened to her two pets in October.
Wightman said her cat was attacked by a coyote in her yard near the Beaches. A few days later, her dog was snatched right off the front porch by one and dragged to a den nearby.
“The problem is not with the coyotes,” Wightman said. “There’s a problem with people misconstruing what wildlife are. They are supposed to be kept wild.”
Wightman decided to attend Monday’s meeting, which drew about 80 people, because there have been no consequences against those who have been feeding animals.
“There is no enforcement,” she said.
The city said they are investigating incidents with coyotes, including snatches and bites this year, and are relying on residents to inform them of when people are leaving food out.
“We really hope this helps people open their eyes to how coyotes fit in our environment and how we need to coexist with them,” said Elizabeth Glibbery, manager of Toronto Animal Services.
Brent Patterson, a research scientist with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, said while coyotes are predators and potentially dangerous, the risk of conflict or harm is relatively low.
All experts at the session urged residents never to feed coyotes, which can create problems for the entire neighbourhood and is also against city bylaws.
Residents can help keep coyotes away by avoiding feeding pets outdoors, removing bird feeders and taking garbage out on the morning of pickup, instead of the evening before.
The city says it will host more information sessions in the future.