Vaughan Residents Demand Action Amid Rising Coyote Incidents

Residents in Vaughan, Canada, are increasingly alarmed by a surge in coyote incidents, prompting calls for immediate city action. The concerns are particularly acute in the Thornhill area, where reports indicate a significant concentration of these encounters, especially involving pets and children. According to city data, there have been 386 coyote sightings this year, with 240 occurring in Ward 5 alone. This marks a dramatic increase from the 315 sightings reported for the entirety of 2024 and just 77 in 2023.

Lee-att Shemesh, a resident near Bathurst Street and Clark Avenue, described her unsettling experiences with coyotes. “It’s out of control,” she stated, recounting how a coyote appeared in her yard while she was preparing meals. Surveillance footage captured multiple coyotes near her home, with one even attempting to enter through a narrow gap in her fence. “One was actually smart enough… he ran back to the front of the house,” Shemesh explained, revealing the cunning behavior of these animals.

The situation escalated recently when a coyote appeared in her yard while her 10-year-old daughter was playing outside. “He was hiding… waiting for an opportunity to get to my daughter or get to the dog,” Shemesh recalled, highlighting the dangers families face. She expressed her fear of walking her dog without carrying a baseball bat, pepper spray, and a bear horn, likening her preparedness to “going to war.”

Revi Laufer, another long-term resident, noted a shift in coyote behavior over the past five years. “Pets have been killed, and parents are terrified of having their kids walking to and from school,” she said, emphasizing the growing unease in the community. Laufer now drives her small dog to parks outside the area to avoid encounters.

Video evidence from the region recently surfaced, showing a pack of at least eight coyotes fighting over a meal in a driveway. Vaughan Mayor Steven Del Duca expressed his shock at the footage during a council meeting, stating, “I’ve never experienced… the number of residents who are telling us that they have actually had their household pets injured or, in some cases, killed.”

In response to the rising incidents, the city had previously adopted a coyote management strategy in 2022 focused on public education. Despite the increase in sightings, city officials maintain that the program is effective. However, Ward 5 Councillor Gila Martow urged for more decisive action, proposing a motion to explore hiring licensed trappers to manage the coyote population, similar to measures taken in other municipalities.

York Regional Police have confirmed at least two incidents this summer involving children being bitten by coyotes, with one notable case occurring on August 16 in Ward 5. Martow, a pet owner herself, expressed her concern for residents’ safety, stating, “Many residents are frustrated and at their wit’s end.”

Experts weigh in on the complexities of managing coyote populations. Dr. Brent Patterson, a research scientist with Ontario’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, cautioned against relocating coyotes as it often leads to new coyotes moving into the area. He noted that capturing and moving them without a significant distance may not solve the problem.

Lesley Sampson from Coyote Watch Canada echoed these sentiments, insisting that understanding the local landscape and identifying food sources attracting coyotes should be part of the solution. “What makes Ward 5 unique? What brings wildlife to this area?” she asked, suggesting that the community needs guidance on how to avoid inadvertently attracting wildlife.

City officials have emphasized the importance of coexistence strategies, focusing on education and proactive monitoring. Mayor Del Duca reassured residents of their concerns, stating, “We recognize this is a very serious issue – one we do not take lightly.” With the council set to review the motion next week, residents remain hopeful for solutions that prioritize their safety and well-being.