The second incident happened on April 22, around 9 p.m., when Durham Regional Police were called to a home in the Thickson Road and Burns Street area. The complainant reported his small dog, described as a maltese-poodle cross, was attacked in the unfenced yard. The owner witnessed the incident and was able to retrieve the deceased dog from a nearby hydro easement property, where the coyotes were last seen running towards. The dog owner wasn't physically hurt.
In March, a dog was snatched by coyotes in the Dundas Street and Nichol Avenue area.
For more information on coyotes, call the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) office at 905-713-7400, or your local animal services office.
The MNR website gives a number of safety tips regarding coyotes:
2) Do not feed them. It makes them less fearful of humans and habituates them to food provided by people. Plus, they may return to the area for more.
3) If you encounter a coyote, don't turn your back on it or run from it. Back away from it while remaining calm. It's a good idea to use whistles and personal alarm devices to frighten them if they do approach or pose a threat.
5) Put garbage at the curb the morning of the pickup, rather than the night before.
6) Use enclosed compost bins rather than exposed piles (NOTE: coyotes are especially attracted to dog and cat waste, meat, milk and eggs).
7) Keep bird feeders from overflowing as coyotes like fruit, nuts and seeds. Keep pet food indoors.
8) Close off crawl spaces under porches, decks and sheds. Coyotes can use these areas to raise their young.
If you feel a coyote is posing an immediate threat or a danger to public safety, call 911.
