Coyotes are attracted to our communities by food and shelter. While they aren’t a big risk as they are wary of people, they are wild animals and should be avoided.
Protecting your pets from coyotes
- Keep a close eye on pets when you let them in your yard
- Go outside with your pet when they’re in the yard
- When walking your pet, keep them on a five-foot leash
If you encounter a coyote
- Stay calm and wait until it goes away
- Do not turn your back or run. Like dogs, coyotes chase anything that runs.
- If a coyote approaches, stand tall, waive your arms, clap, yell, make startling movements or throw an object at it to scare it away
- Startle the animal by opening an umbrella, using a flashlight or activating an audible alarm
You can also use our interactive coyote map to check if coyotes have been seen in your neighbourhood, and report your own sightings.
If you see an aggressive, sick or injured coyote, call 905-896-5858.
Find out how the City responds to coyote incidents.
Trapping and relocating coyotes
Under Ontario’s Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, you are prohibited from:
- Capturing and relocating coyotes more than a kilometre away
- Using snare traps
Not only are snare traps illegal, they pose a big risk to public safety. In addition, trapping or relocating coyotes will not resolve issues or reduce sightings and encounters.
If you encounter coyotes in your neighbourhood, it’s best to report your sightings and allow the City to address them.