Modern Mississauga Presents Ask The City - What to do if you see a coyote
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Modern Mississauga and the City of Mississauga have come together to present an ongoing series called “Ask The City.”
We’ll share relevant information here and answer your questions about our city.
Today’s question deals with the coyote and what to do if you encounter one.
(If this were Arizona, we’d encourage you to attend a hockey game)
What do I do if I see a coyote?
Coyote sightings are common in Mississauga and surrounding areas. If you see an aggressive, sick or injured coyote, report it to Mississauga Animal Services by calling 3-1-1 (or 905-615-4311 outside city limits).
If you encounter a coyote, stay calm and wait until they move away. Do not turn your back or run. If approached, stand tall, waive your arms and make yourself as large as you can. Clap, yell, shout loudly, make startling movements or throw an object towards the animal.
Coyotes are an important part of our ecosystem as they control rodent and rabbit populations. They are active day and night but prefer to hunt after dusk or prefer dawn. Coyotes are normally shy towards humans; however, they will watch or follow humans out of natural curiosity.
An abundance of food can draw coyotes into residential areas and this is also the time when outdoor or unattended pets may be at a greater risk of a coyote encounter or attack.
There are steps that residents can take to avoid potential conflicts and make their homes less appealing to wildlife. Residents are cautioned never to feed coyotes and to watch for any instances of feeding in their neighbourhood and report it to Mississauga Animal Services by calling 3-1-1. Residents should also ensure that their garbage and composting containers are stored properly. Pet owners are reminded to supervise outdoor pets, walk dogs on a 6’ (six foot) leash and keep cats indoors, particularly after dark or during the winter months.
If you’ve got a question about the city, we want to hear from you.
Please send your questions to info@modernmississauga.com with “Ask The City” in the subject line.
