‘Euthanized’ coyote visiting south-end neighbourhoods (Guelph, Ontario)

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‘Euthanized’ coyote visiting south-end neighbourhoods
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January 26, 2010
Scott Tracey
stracey@guelphmercury.com

GUELPH — Apparently three legs were enough for one wily coyote to evade Guelph Police bullets earlier this month.

Six days after officers attempted to shoot the animal near a south-end dog park, it took a casual stroll through a nearby neighbourhood.

On Jan. 15, about 10 a.m., officers were called about a possibly injured coyote or wolf near a popular dog park at Kortright Road and the Hanlon Expressway.

A woman in the area at the time told the Guelph Mercury she saw officers approaching the animal, then heard a single shot followed by four more shots in rapid succession. Police reported the animal had been destroyed.

But Jane McCamus, executive director of the Guelph Humane Society, said when her officer arrived at the scene she was told police “tried to dispatch (the coyote) but missed.”

Guelph Police Sergeant Doug Pflug confirmed Tuesday police did not kill the animal as previously reported.

“The officer had the go-ahead to euthanize it and we believe the officer did hit it but the animal got away,” he said, noting an “extensive search” could not locate the coyote.

Maybe they should look on Brookhaven Court.

Dana Wensley, who lives on the small cul-de-sac less than one kilometre from the dog park, said she opened her curtains about 9:30 a.m. Jan. 21 “and (the coyote) was just walking down the middle of the street.”

She said several neighbours watched as the large grey canine walked to the end of the dead end, where it seemed to be “pawing at the ground” along a fence separating Brookhaven Court from Preservation Park.

Eventually it walked the other way along Brookhaven Court and was last seen on Hilldale Crescent.

McCamus said her staff receives regular calls about a “three-legged coyote” in the south end, noting the animal’s fourth limb “appears to be there partially.”

“We’ve been monitoring him but he seems to be in good health and there haven’t been any problems,” she said, noting if a wild animal appears to be “behaving in a normal manner” humane society staff tend not to interfere.

Bill Murch, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Natural Resources, noted coyotes are fairly common in Guelph, though the animals will typically try to avoid interaction with people.

“Most wildlife recognizes the fact that the main threat to them is humans and avoid us as much as possible,” he said, though he added people have a responsibility not to do anything — such as leaving food where it would be accessible to wild animals — which would increase that interaction.

“More often than not when an animal develops an unhealthy relationship with people it normally results in the death of the animal,” Murch said.

Tips on avoiding interaction with coyotes:

• properly store and maintain garbage containers, placing trash bins inside sheds or garages and putting garbage out on the morning of pickup

keep animal waste, meat, milk and eggs out of compost bins

remove fallen fruit from around trees

use motion-activated lighting to discourage nocturnal wildlife

close off areas which could be used for “denning,” such as crawl spaces and porches

enclose yards with fences extending at least 15 cm. below the ground

If you encounter a coyote:

do not feed it

do not turn your back or run

back away from the coyote while remaining calm

use whistles or a personal alarm to frighten an approaching animal

http://news.guelphmercury.com/News/article/590780