DNA confirms coyote killed by conservation officers was responsible for summer attacks in Winnipeg

A DNA profile taken from the shirt of a person attacked by a coyote matches that of an animal that was killed by Manitoba Conservation officers this past summer, the department says.

The agency released an update on Thursday into its investigation of two coyote attacks on children in Winnipeg's North Kildonan area in June.

Measurements of the coyote's teeth were also taken by the veterinary services branch of Manitoba Agriculture during an autopsy of the animal, and the spacing was consistent with the wounds on one of the two victims, Manitoba Conservation's news release said.

Two coyotes were killed by Manitoba Conservation officers in the weeks following the attacks on two boys, ages nine and four. The younger boy was attacked six days after the older one, both in the same neighbourhood.

Both boys were treated and released from hospital.

Signs were put up in the area near Knowles Avenue and Popko Crescent shortly after the attacks, alerting the public that live trapping was taking place. 

The number of human-coyote conflicts in the area dropped substantially after the coyotes were killed.

But the number of animals is expected to rebound over time, Manitoba Conservation said in its release, adding that feeding coyotes — either directly or indirectly, through feeding prey such as birds and rabbits — is believed to have played a role in their aggressive behaviour.

The Conservation release reminded the public to never feed wildlife, warning that making food available may attract coyotes and other predators to an area.

Coyotes that have been fed by people will become comfortable approaching humans and could become increasingly aggressive, the department said.