A group of residents from Liberty Village and Fort York in downtown Toronto held a rally at The Bentway to demand increased action from the City regarding coyote encounters, which they allege are threatening their pet dogs. The rally, led by Ruby Kooner, founder of the Coyote Safety Coalition (CSC), highlighted that there had been 28 reported encounters with coyotes in the past month alone, including one incident where a chihuahua was reportedly taken by a coyote. In addition, the coalition noted a concerning pattern of coyote behavior, including claims that a coyote attempted to grab a two-year-old child and attack two humans, one resulting in an injury from a bite.
The City of Toronto has acknowledged two deaths of pet dogs due to coyote attacks, while CSC has tracked over 120 attacks since November. This stark difference in reported figures has led to tensions between the coalition and city officials, with residents expressing frustration over what they see as inadequate responses to the ongoing problem. Kooner stated that their initial bi-weekly meetings with the City to discuss coyote encounters have ceased, prompting the community to organize the rally as a means of voicing their concerns.
To address the issue, the City has engaged Coyote Watch Canada and a licensed trapper known as Critter Gitter to implement "advanced aversion techniques" aimed at re-establishing a fear of humans in coyotes considered habituated. However, Kooner reported little positive change since these efforts began on March 23, stating that the frequency of aggressive encounters appears to be increasing rather than decreasing.
Residents shared their harrowing experiences, including Shannon Tebb, whose dog Roxy was attacked. Tebb recounted how she picked Roxy up just in time to escape a coyote, who inflicted deep puncture wounds on her pet. Another resident, who preferred to be identified as Andrea, described how a coyote snatched her chihuahua, Prancer, while he was off-leash, leading to a tragic outcome after his body was found on train tracks.
Many residents, including Nick Luckwell, raised concerns over the efficacy of the City's recommended hazing techniques, asserting they do not adequately protect against active attacks. Luckwell, who experienced a direct coyote attack, questioned why the City does not consider lethal measures to manage the coyote population, highlighting that similar incidents with domestic animals or humans would result in immediate action.
In response to the escalating concerns, city officials, including Deputy Mayor Ausma Malik, attended the rally and engaged with residents. Meeting attendees expressed appreciation for her presence but stressed that they continue to feel unsafe in their neighborhood, citing persistent attacks and inadequate city responses. Malik noted the ongoing assessment of one particularly aggressive coyote marked by mange, stating that further recommendations will follow soon.
While some residents have historically opposed lethal measures, Kooner indicated a shift in the community's sentiment as frustrations mount. An increasing number of residents are now open to discussing culling the coyotes as an option. Kooner mentioned that the calls for culling have evolved from the coalition's original stance against such measures. Many residents are simply seeking safety for themselves and their pets, emphasizing the need for immediate and effective interventions.
This rally and its resulting conversations underscore a growing urgency within the community. Residents feel disheartened by the lack of a rapid response from the City, especially as coyote attacks become more frequent and aggressive. The need for decisive action is palpable, and constituents are demanding that their concerns be treated with the seriousness they deserve.
