Coyote snatches and kills Chihuahua from Oakville backyard

Some residents of an Oakville neighbourhood are calling for action after a small dog was snatched from a backyard by a coyote.

A spokesperson with the Town of Oakville confirmed that early in the evening of Wednesday, May 13 a Chihuahua was in the backyard of a Victoria Street home when a coyote hopped the fence.

The owner was inside when she saw a coyote pick up her dog and hop the fence," said Jane Courtemanche, director of Strategy, Policy and Communications with the Town.

The owner was able to follow the coyote to the Shell Park area."

The owner was able to retrieve her dog, but it did not survive.

READ: Here's why you might be seeing more Coyotes - and rats - this spring in Hamilton

Courtemanche said that since receiving the report of the attack the Town has distributed flyers to all streets that back onto the green space at Shell Park.

The flyer points out that spring is coyote pupping season and as a result coyotes are both more active around and protective of their den sites.

They are also looking for food for their pups and do see small dogs and cats as prey.

The flyer calls on residents not to approach these den sites and to keep dogs on leash and away from these areas.

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It also provides tips on what to do if approached by a coyote.

These tips include picking up children and small pets if necessary, never running from a coyote and slowly backing away from the animal while keeping eye contact.

The flyer also cautions residents not to leave small pets unattended in their yards.

This flyer will raise the awareness of the residents on the existence of wildlife in the area and how to understand their behaviour," said Courtemanche.

This information is intended to educate residents and ease their concerns on living with wildlife."

She noted the Oakville Milton Humane Society has also been instructed to enforce local leash bylaws in an effort to keep dogs safe from potential coyote encounters.

Residents are also advised to never feed or leave food out for a coyote.

READ: A driver thought he'd put an injured dog in his back seat. It was a coyote

While signs warning of the presence of coyotes are already in place at Shell Park an effort is being made to locate the coyote's den site and if coyote pups are found to be present in the area additional signs will be put in place, said Courtemanche.

Area resident Michael Miller says the Town is not doing enough.

The Bronte area is being menaced by large, aggressive coyotes and the reaction from government seems to be little more than be careful,'" he said.

There are daily sightings in the area and the animals have no fear of humans. They follow people walking their dogs (even large dogs) and circle them. They follow children playing in nearby parks and green spaces. One came within 10 feet of my own daughter last week."

Miller has called for the coyotes in the Shell Park area to either be relocated or killed noting he fears additional attacks on pets or maybe even a child.

Town staff said the coyote behavior being described is normal as coyotes may follow someone to ensure they are a safe distance from its den and pups, particularly if that person is walking a dog which the coyote may see as a threat.

Town officials have also previously stated that urban coyotes have grown up in the loud city, so sometimes loud noises and shouting doesn't scare them.

Caitlin Jones, Manager of Animal Protective Services at the Oakville and Milton Humane Society, said coyotes are not predatory towards humans.

As for some of the other suggested solutions, the Town's flyer pointed out relocating a coyote out of the area is not an option as this is illegal under Ontario's Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act.

The measure is intended to prevent the spread of disease and to stop one municipality from dumping its problem animals on another.

The Town noted killing the coyotes would also be a band-aid solution because coyotes are territorial which means if a coyote is killed more coyotes simply move in and claim that territory.

Courtemanche said the Town will be hosting two virtual information sessions next month to support the community and provide further education relating to wildlife and coyotes.

The dates for these events have yet to be finalized.

Residents are advised to call 911 if a coyote is posing an immediate danger.

They can also contact the Oakville Milton Humane Society if they encounter a sick or injured coyote at 905-845-1551.