Photo credit: Toronto Today
Residents of two communities in southwest Toronto are calling on the city tp take action after several reported coyote attacks and sightings in the area since the beginning of the year.
Global News reports that a press release from the Coyote Safety Coalition – a group representing residents in the Liberty Village and Fort York neighbourhoods – claimed six local coyote attacks occurred in a single night earlier this week, including at least two that required pet dogs to get emergency treatment.
A city spokesman says between January 1 and February 13, there were 96 reports of coyotes in the Spadina-Fort York area, and most were from Liberty Village.
Half of those reports were sightings, while 31 were reports from people concerned for public safety. The city says 10 reports were related to dangerous incidents such as a coyote arrack or bite and three of those all happened on February 10.
In a statement, the city says it has “stepped up” its response in Liberty Village, including monitoring coyote activity in the area and educating residents about the animals’ behaviour so they can safely coexist.
The city also said it is consulting with wildlife experts, including those from the Ministry of Natural Resources, Toronto Zoo and Coyote Watch Canada.
City bylaw officers and animal services workers patrol the area but the residents’ coalition says that doesn’t go far enough to keep locals and pets safe.
