Hamilton

Grisly discovery: 20 coyote remains found in Norfolk County

Remains of 20 coyotes found in Norfolk wooded area.
Police investigate the discovery of the remains of 20 coyotes found in Norfolk County Road 45, South Walsingham, Norfolk. (CC0 Public Domain/Pixabay)

Norfolk county OPP are investigating the gruesome discovery of the remains of 20 coyotes on a farm. 

According to OPP Constable Ed Sanchick, it's unknown how the coyotes got there, or how they died.

Nothing on this scale has ever been seen before in the area, he said.

Police were contacted Friday night by a resident who had discovered the dead animals in a heavily wooded area of the property off Norfolk County Road 45, south of Tillsonburg. The remains are about 1 km from the road. 

The deceased animals were found in various states of decomposition. 

OPP are looking at all possibilities, but say it could have been people protecting their livestock, in which case no charges would be laid. 

According to the Ontario Livestock and Livestock Product Act, farmers have a right to protect their livestock.  

"In this case here I don't know if someone was out hunting or if these animals were coming onto the farm property or anyone's property for that matter, where they feared for their safety or their animals, or their children," said Sanchick. 

OPP are asking for people with any information to contact them.