Want to avoid an encounter with a coyote? Keep your dog on its leash: Hamilton Animal Service

Heather Pope says she was on a walk with her husband and two young children in Fifty Point Conservation Area on Canada Day, when they all had a close encounter with a pair of coyotes.

She said it started when they were approached by a family "waving their hands and sort of trying to grab my attention. They said there were two coyotes ... one of their small children ... started chasing after it as if it was chasing a friendly dog."

That's when Pope, 38, says she heard the coyotes howl. She said it was the first time she'd ever thought there might be coyotes in the park.

Michelle Shantz, a spokesperson from the city manager's office, said Hamilton Animal Services (HAS) has recorded 57 coyote sightings in 2022 as of Monday. Eleven of those have required an officer response.

Shantz said that, according to HAS, there's a recent trend across the province where dogs off leash in trail and hiking systems are forcing interactions with coyotes. She said this time of year, coyotes may be protective of their pups and could react aggressively to human and dog interactions. 

"We may have coyote pups who are starting to come out of dens," Mombourquette said. "So, if we have dogs there, and they're going to encounter wildlife... certainly the wildlife doesn't want to be near us." 

"Step number one is to prevent [dogs] from being off leash," Mombourquette said. 

City by-laws say that dogs can only be unleashed if they are with a competent owner at designated dog parks.

The city says all dogs are required to be leashed outside of official dog parks, and that off leash dogs are considered 'at large' under the leashing by-law. Consequences for having an off leash dog in a public area range from a warning, to a fine, to a charge under the Provincial Offences Act. 

Pope said it would have helped if the city had put up signs warning people about possible coyote run-ins.

The city says that because coyotes move around frequently, the city's approach is to educate the public through the media on what to do if you encounter wildlife. 

For Pope, she learned one lesson for sure. 

"I won't be taking my toddler out of the stroller when we go in that area."

What to do if you see a coyote

The city has a list of things to do if you see a coyote in the wild and how to avoid encountering them.

• If you are approached by a coyote, don't run. Stay calm and wait until it moves on.
• You can make yourself appear larger and shout or clap your hands together or make some other loud noise to scare them off.
• You can carry a personal audible alarm and flashlight or umbrella to scare them off.
• If you see a coyote that is hurt or dead call animal control at 905-574-3433.
• If the coyote poses an immediate threat to public safety, phone police or animal control.
• Don't leave kids unsupervised and educate them to not approach wildlife or unfamiliar pets.
• Keep cats indoors and keep dogs on short leashes or in your yard.