Collingwood staff will present an updated coyote management plan to council tonight, the result of several weeks of debate regarding potential threats from local coyotes and what to do about them.
Some residents in Collingwood’s east end have noted numerous coyote sightings and reported attacks on pets.
The Corporate Services Standing Committee met April 9 and heard many deputations by residents who said they feared harm from the coyotes to themselves, children and pets. Some called on council to eliminate the “threat” of coyotes by removing them from the area or culling the animals. Other residents called on council to implement a strategy for living with coyotes without trapping or killing them.The following information is contained within a staff report going to council tonight (April 30).
Since then, town staff met with local trappers who are licensed by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF), they have toured the areas where the coyote sightings have been reported, they met with MNRF experts and officials, they consulted with Coyote Watch Canada and conducted research to understand what other municipalities have done regarding coyotes in urban areas.
Staff have created a management/communication plan that lists possible coyote interactions and sighting situations and pairs those with recommended actions.
For example, if a coyote injures or kills a pet off-leash in an open space area, staff recommend the following:
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gathering information on the circumstances;
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educating area residents on responsible pet ownership and hazing;
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look for and eliminate any attractants in the area where the incident occurred;
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post coyote signs in open area to alert other residents;
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if it is pup season and there is a known den nearby, consider blocking off the path or area until pup season is over;
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develop a hazing team in the area; and
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levy fines (for leash violations) where appropriate.
In the case of a coyote on human attack or multiple, confirmed multiple reports of coyotes attacking pets on leashes with humans nearby, in the same vicinity and over a short period of time, staff recommend locating and eliminating the problem coyote. In a case of a human attack, the coyote would be tested for rabies and given a full necropsy.
Though the MNRF does permit trapping, killing and relocating (within 1 km) coyotes, staff are not recommending that course of action. Of the five local trappers consulted, a majority of the trappers indicated they would not trap coyotes in the area where the complaints are coming from, due to the risks, high level of publicity of issues, and non-ideal conditions for trapping coyotes.
MNRF officials suggest their research shows relocation or cull campaigns are ineffective largely due to the coyote’s ability to bounce back quickly through an increase in breeding. Relocation is ineffective as coyotes have an average territory of 2-10 square kilometres, and will return quickly after being relocated.
“MNRF did note that Regardless of their research on behavioural attributes of coyotes, there may be instances of specific and non-expected anomalies, and therefore reporting and investigations are important if attacks to humans occur,” states the staff report on tonight’s agenda.
In the conclusion, the report states staff do not recommend implementing a trapping program unless the problem coyotes meet the criteria included in the management/communication plan.
Staff are recommending establishing the following:
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a hotline for immediate response to coyote issues;
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establish education sessions on coyotes and hazing techniques;
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direct mailing to residents in the east end and concerned areas;
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provide appropriate officer training;
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develop radio advertisements;
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increase signage throughout the town.
Council is set to vote on this matter tonight. The council meeting will take place in the council chambers at town hall beginning at 5 p.m.
