By Pepper Parr
March 9th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
We pay close attention to what is being read and have a report that tells us how many people are on line, how long they are reading and what they are reading.
We never know who is reading.
In the past few days the coyote stories have been the most frequently read – by a significant factor – on occasion more than twice as many readers as the number two on the list.
This is what people care about and are angry when they feel they are not being listened to.
One Gazette reader commented:
The joke is the coyotes are running this city and doing a much better job than we are. They have free reign, choice of food and protection from animal lovers. The coyotes don’t belong in an urban setting. They have no natural predators other than man and because people are feeding them, they are no longer afraid of us. It is not a question of if, but when a child is killed and eaten by these animals.
That is a extreme but there were occasions when adults and children were nipped which is as close as anyone wants to get to the teeth of a coyote.
You know who your council members are – reach out to them.
Central Park at Guelph Line saw significant action last year particularly with regard to a very sick Coyote that finally got some attention. Park users like ourselves, even in the winter (we don’t have dogs just love to have lunch there and watch and listen to nature) are perturbed with regard to Coyote warning and feeding signage. A 12 x 24 sign is 10 feet off the ground and unable to be read. Surely the city knows this is totally inadequate. We had to get Dave’s camera out with a powerful lens to read the number to call to deal with the very sick coyote.
I truly believe that these attacks were the result of humans feeding the coyotes and they lost their great of humans as a result!
Given the tone of this article, I’m pretty sure some of my comments will be very unpopular. Then again, perhaps it is the vocal minority who prompted this article.
But first, some balance.
The coyote incidents of last summer/fall in Burlington were ignored by the city for far too long. These were aggressive coyotes, problem animals, and should have been dealt with much more promptly.
I have heard a coyote den has been identified near a grade school recently. If true, this too should be dealt with immediately. Almost all animals will protect their young, and coyotes are not an exception. Alternately, the children will be kept inside, which is not fair to them.
Two quotes from the humane society follow:
1. “There have only been two recorded incidences in the United States and Canada of humans being killed by coyotes. One involved a child in Southern California in the 1980s and the other a 19-year old woman in Nova Scotia in 2009.” Two in the last 40 years, (or perhaps in 100s of years). Out of a combined current population of more than 360 million people. Tragic events both.
2. “Coyote attacks on people are very rare. More people are killed by errant golf balls and flying champagne corks each year than are bitten by coyotes.” (I’m guessing this is for the USA or USA+Canada, I doubt this is true in Canada alone given our short golf season.)
Now, I can tell you that when I go outside to pick up my local newspaper on Wednesday evenings, I am much more concerned that I will see an unattended dog than a coyote. That is because, according to numerous articles, there are about 5,000 people bitten by dogs every year in Ontario. In addition, there are 1-2 people killed by dogs every year in Canada. (BTW: I HAVE seen a coyote when picking up my newspaper, I looked at it, it looked at me and it trotted away. I have also seen them while out walking, non event each time.)
Worry about games play with balls, or people who speed down your street. The danger is much greater. My (unpopular?) perspective. But I wonder: Am I the minority?
Thanks for the stats, the coyote that casually walks up my street from Lakeshore seems to not be bothering the families who are walking down to Spencer Smith, I did see another one while driving on New St, it was trying to cross the street at the library to go south.
A few years back after there were several coyote attacks on dogs and even an elderly woman on our street, the city put up BIG warning signs and gave out red whistles. Eventually after several incidents a den was cleared and the attacks stopped. I watched in horror as one ran at least 300 metres to attack a golden retriever quietly walking on a leash. Our councillor tried to solve the problem but there appeared to be little recognition of coyote habitat arguments and successful spring time procreation leading to an increase in population. Therefore, I assumed at the time that when attacked from behind we would blow our little red whistles and be saved.
It appears that little has changed but the coyote population is spreading in the city and other neighbourhoods are feeling the effect.
Very well said – i totally agree. Something very wrong when you feel uncomfortable going for a walk or sitting in your own backyard. Do SOMETHING City Hall!