Hundreds of people sign petition calling on Toronto to take action following coyote attack – NOW Toronto

A woman in Toronto is calling on city officials to address coyote packs in the city that she says are terrorizing neighbourhoods after her family and dog were attacked. 

In a petition started on Change.org on Aug. 23, Mary Youngson shared that while out for a walk with their dog, her family was violently attacked by a pack of eight coyotes. She says the animals critically injured one of their dogs, resulting in a long stay at the vet and expensive medical bills, while her husband was injured while intervening in the attack. 

“We’re not alone—many residents have and continue to suffer similar or worse attacks in our parks and on our streets,” the petition reads.

“Yet, despite the growing threat, City officials don’t consider this a community safety issue and refuse to act.”

The petition calls the city’s lack of action unacceptable, adding that the city needs immediate action to address the problem.

“The coyotes have become invasive and aggressive. Their numbers need to be controlled and those no longer afraid of humans removed,” the petition reads. “It’s unacceptable to have urban wildlife killing our family pets and terrorizing residents. It should not take serious human injury for the City to act.”

At the time of publication, the petition has garnered over 600 signatures, with a goal of 1,000.

In an interview with Now Toronto on Wednesday, Young explained that there have been multiple attacks in her neighbourhood. 

“Over the years there has been the odd attack, but they seem to have increased and become more vicious,” Youngson said.

She said she has been reporting coyotes to the city for years, to no avail.

Youngson shared that the attack happened on Canada Day Weekend, and says she soon found out other people had been attacked by coyotes that same weekend. This prompted Youngson to approach her councillor and demand something be done to address the issue.

“I guess there had been enough pushback to the city that they had a community meeting on August 1,” she explained, “And at the community meeting, it became very clear that nothing was going to be done about the pack that had been terrorizing [the neighbourhood.”

“The city was pretty clear that they weren’t changing their strategy, that they would not act until a human was badly hurt.”

Youngson calls the tactics proposed by the city insulting. She shared that their plan included recommendations for residents on how to co-exist with coyotes and defend themselves against the animals. 

“They were not sufficient in the case that I was in, like yelling at them or whatever, shaking a bag at them,” Youngson explained, adding that this inspired her to start her petition calling for the city to develop a new strategy to combat coyotes in the city. 

CITY OF TORONTO ON COYOTES 

In response to the petition, the city says coyotes thrive in urban landscapes because of the presence of food and shelter and are an important part of Toronto’s wildlife. Officials say these animals do not usually pose a risk to people, but can be dangerous for pets. 

“The City of Toronto empathizes with this resident and their family that a traumatic event has occurred to them and their pets. The City takes coyote attack incidents seriously,” the city said in a statement to Now Toronto on Wednesday. 

“When incidents do occur, the City in alignment with its Coyote Response Strategy works with Coyote Watch Canada to investigate the presence of specific coyotes and to provide education and support to community members; while also assessing the probability of future incidents and taking proactive measures to minimize them,” the city continued.

The city encourages those with dogs to take the following precautions to prevent coyote attacks:

•   Keep dogs on leash and only allow dogs off leash in designated dogs off-leash areas.

•   Walk dogs in areas of high pedestrian traffic such as busy streets, jogging and park trails.

•   Walk during daylight hours.

•   Avoid walking along densely forested areas.

“If residents encounter a coyote while walking dogs, they are advised to pick the dog up or keep the dog on a short leash and move to an area with more activity,” the statement reads, adding that it is important to maintain eye contact while moving away from the animal. Additionally, it is recommended that you make loud noises and assertive actions. 

“Coyotes are naturally timid and flee when confronted assertively. Loud noises (like fireworks) and perceived threats to their young (presence of dogs) could cause a reaction,” the city says, adding that during pup-rearing seasons, adult coyotes can be more defensive and protective as they try to protect their families. 

“These are the times when pet guardians need to be extra cautious, as coyotes are more likely to see dogs as a potential threat to their young. Also, chronic historical direct feeding by residents blurs the boundaries between humans and wildlife.”

The city shared that if animal behaviour changes in a way that affects public safety, officials will assess all options and take the necessary actions. 

RESIDENTS SHARE CONCERNS

Online, some of the people who signed the petition have shared their reasoning for doing so, including having run-ins with the wild animals. 

“I too have a dog and the coyotes in the Samuel Smith / Humber Bay park are also very aggressive. They openly wander our streets and stalk the cemetery close by,” wrote one woman.

“I’ve witnessed the coyotes being fed for years by a neighbour and I know quite a few neighbours who have had scary confrontations with the coyotes including having their dogs be attacked by them,” another person shared.

“I’ve seen the packs of coyotes, or possibly coy-wolves, along Etobicoke Creek and they are different than the typical lone coyotes in the city who are harmless. I no longer feel safe using Etobicoke Creek park north of Rathburn.”

While others are speculating on the cause of the issue.

“The problem goes deep with the initial cause is deforestation of the coyotes’ homes for high rises, homes, shopping malls, highways, etc. etc,” one person shared. “Critical planning must be used. Animal greenway overpasses have found success in Alberta. Could something using this concept be adapted for our animal friends that are being displaced by our ‘Progress’ in this exploding city?”