Lately, I’ve been noticing a lot of conversations and posts about coyotes showing up in our urban areas. It seems like more and more people are spotting them in Toronto neighbourhoods, parks, and even near busy streets. It’s definitely making people curious and a little concerned about how these wild animals are adapting to city life.

In the Greater Toronto area , incidents of coyote encounters seem to be becoming pretty frequent!

In November a woman encountered a coyote that tried to attack her dog right outside her front door in Liberty Village!.

Just this past September a couple walking their 2 dogs in Etobicoke found themselves surrounded by a pack of eight coyotes. Ultimately they managed to escape with both dogs but one dog was severely injured.

In another incident in Thornhill, a dog walker bent down to pick up after their pup, only to hear the distressing cry of their dog as a coyote sank its teeth into the dogs neck.

The fear of pets being injured or killed by coyotes can be a cause for concern amongst pet owners when coyotes are seen in our neighbourhoods or parks.

If you're walking your dog and encounter a coyote, it's important to know how to react to protect both you and your pet.

What to do if you encounter a coyote

1. Stay calm and keep your distance

If you spot a coyote, remain calm and avoid making any sudden movements. Coyotes are more likely to flee if they sense no immediate threat from you or your dog. Do not run or approach the animal, as this could provoke an attack.

2. Leash or pick up your dog immediately

The most important thing is to control your dog. Leash your dog immediately if it’s not already on a leash. Small dogs or dogs that are off-leash might provoke the coyote, leading to a confrontation. Even larger dogs can become a target if the coyote feels threatened or sees your dog as an easy meal. Keeping your dog on a leash will make it easier for you to maneuver and protect your dog. It goes without saying that if your dog is small,  immediately pick him or her up.

3. Make yourself appear larger

Coyotes are more likely to back off if they feel threatened. To make yourself seem larger, stand tall and raise your arms over your head. If you have an object like a stick, umbrella, or bag, hold it out to make yourself appear even bigger. This tactic can help you assert dominance and discourage the coyote from approaching.

4. Maintain eye contact

By maintaining direct eye contact, you signal to the coyote that you are aware of it and that you are not afraid. So maintain a calm, steady and non-threatening gaze

5. Make loud noises

Loud, sudden sounds deter a coyote. Yell, clap your hands, use your phone alarm or blow a whistle if you have one. These loud noises will help make the coyote aware of your presence and encourage it to retreat.  In fact it makes good sense to carry a whistle with you when out walking your dog.

6. Slowly back away

Never turn your back or run away, as this could make you a target. Instead, slowly and steadily back away while continuing to face the animal. Running from a coyote can trigger its chase instinct. Instead, slowly back away, facing the coyote at all times, until you are at a safe distance.

7. Defend yourself if attacked

Although its unusual, there are instances where a coyote may become aggressive and attempt to attack a dog or human. If a coyote lunges toward you or your dog, defend yourself immediately. If you have a stick or any other object, use it to block or strike the coyote, aiming for its head or body. The aim is not to injure the coyote but simply to deter it.

Minimize your chances of encountering a coyote:

• Avoid walking during dawn or dusk: Coyotes are most active during these hours.

• Stay in well-lit areas: Coyotes tend to avoid human activity and stay in darker, quieter parts of town.

Remember, coyotes are generally more afraid of humans than we are of them, and they will likely leave if they feel threatened or outmatched. It looks like coyotes are here to stay so let’s give them plenty of space.

Benefits of Coyotes in Urban Areas

Keep in mind that Coyotes are also beneficial to our urban environment. Being omnivores they eat a variety of food and offer free rodent control by feeding on mice and rats, while helping to keep the populations of species that live within our suburbs in check , like raccoons, Canada geese, and rabbits. Being scavengers they eat carrion ( dead animals) so in that way they help us keep our ravines clean.

While coyote attacks are rare given the number of coyotes in the city, there is usually evidence that in those cases the coyote had access to human food, which is why it's crucial that people don't feed them. . 

When you feed a carnivore, you are pushing the animal closer to humans.

Coyotes are here to stay in our communities. Luckily, with all the technology we have and how connected we now are, we can learn more about them through online neighbourhood groups and social media. The key to keeping things balanced is education.

Here’s more on safety - this one has to do with winter safety tips for dogs

Terri J Photography specializes in on-location pet photography including family and couples sessions with your beloved pets. Terri serves the Greater Toronto area including Richmond Hill, Markham, Etobicoke, Vaughan, Scarborough, Brampton, Thornhill and beyond.