Coyote spotted in C.B.S. by RNC officer after coffee stop

A Royal Newfoundland Constabulary officer spotted a coyote in a residential area in Conception Bay South when he stopped to grab a coffee early Thursday morning.

Sgt. Rod Priddle was near the Irving in Manuels around 5:30 a.m. when he saw the coyote cross the area of Route 60.

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"I was getting my morning fix of coffee and I was heading west on Route 60 into St. John's to report for work and in the area between where Bergs Ice Cream is up to Irving where the T'railway is and stuff, a lot of people like to walk, and I noticed this dog crossing — I thought it was a dog," he told CBC's St. John's Morning Show.

Priddle said usually police will stop and see if they can find an owner if there's a stray animal wandering around, but as he got closer he realized it wasn't a pet dog.

Never ever feed it. We don't want it to think that it's welcome in our neighbourhood, it belongs in the wild.- Sgt. Rod Priddle

"It crossed right in front of me and I slowed down my vehicle and it looked at me and I said, 'That's a coyote.'"

He said the animal sauntered a bit farther on the sidewalk before wandering into a wooded area.

Priddle said he wanted to issue a notice about the coyote because it was spotted in a residential area where there's a lot of foot traffic. 

"The concern for me at the time was, there's a lot of residential area there and a lot of people actually use that T'railway, it's a very popular place for people to walk and ride their bicycles," he said.

"When you see an animal like this that's not afraid to be out in traffic or around people, it's kind of a concerning thing."

What to do if you see a coyote

Priddle said it's important not to leave garbage or dog food outside if there's a coyote in the area, and to limit the use of bird seed in feeders on your property.

If you have a fruit tree, don't leave fruit on the ground — and don't leave pets unattended outside.

"We're not used to having a predator like this in a residential neighbourhood and I've heard stories of people's dogs being attacked and cats being killed and we certainly wouldn't want anyone to suffer the loss of a pet," said Priddle.

"As well, if you see one of these things, never ever feed it. We don't want it to think that it's welcome in our neighbourhood, it belongs in the wild — and that's where they should stay."

If a coyote does approach you, Priddle said it's important to stay calm and not to approach or crowd it, but rather make sure it has an escape route.

Priddle added the coyote is likely more afraid of you than you are of it, and if it feels threatened it will attack, but said do not turn and run and instead try to wave your arms and make loud noises and appear larger.

"In the unfortunate event that one does attack you, you should fight back," he said.

If you do spot a coyote in your area, Priddle said to contact your local RNC or RCMP detachment who can advise wildlife officials

For a full list of what to do if you see a coyote, visit the Department of Environment and Conservation wildlife website.