Coyote sighting has Torbay woman frightened for others
Sightings have increased compared to same time last year, provincial numbers show
A Torbay woman's encounter with a coyote has left her unsettled and frightened for other people in the area.
Allyson Rodgers spotted the animal, which she said was the size of a large dog, from her home on Indian Meal Line Tuesday morning.
A coyote was coming out of the woods across the street from us.- Allyson Rodgers
While it may have been interesting to see one, she said it worries her to know they are living so close to a residential area.
"Just happened to look out our main window and a coyote was coming out of the woods across the street from us, it came across the neighbours front lawn," Rodgers told CBC's St. John's Morning Show.
"It's kind of slightly disturbing when you think about how many small children are in the neighbourhood and a lot of people have small animals."
Facebook groups have been busy with warnings, and numbers from the Newfoundland and Labrador government show an apparent rise in coyote sightings.
According to the Department of Environment and Conservation, there have been 32 coyote sightings on the Avalon Peninsula reported since January, while there were only 58 reports for all of 2015.
"I do know that we've had one in our backyard because we've seen the paw prints," Rodgers said, adding she's heard of several recent sightings in Torbay and has seen others on social media.
Rodgers said this sighting is a reminder to be aware of her surroundings, but it hasn't really changed her behaviour — other than not letting her dog outside alone.
"You see more now than ever … it's better to be safe than sorry."
Know what to do
According to the provincial government's website, the coyote mating season occurs from February to March, and usually bear litters with three to 12 pups in April or May.
The pups then leave their parents in the fall to establish their own territory.
You see more now than ever … it's better to be safe than sorry.- Allyson Rodgers
This could explain why sightings seem to have increased recently.
Although coyote attacks are rare, they can happen and people should know how to protect themselves.
Government advises anyone who encounters a coyote should never run, as this may provoke the animal to chase and attack.
Instead, people should try to scare it away by being as big and loud as possible, trying to intimidate it by waving their arms, clapping their hands, making loud noises or even throwing rocks.
While Rodgers was knew not to run, she said the other advice is good to know.
"I know you're not supposed to run and stand your ground," she said.
"My husband walks our dog a fair amount, I don't go anywhere by myself in terms of walking, we're a pretty noisy bunch."
With files from The St. John's Morning Show