Coyote information

Please contact your City councillor or an Ontario wildlife control officer (see below) if you sight a coyote. Coyotes pose little real danger to people, but to prevent problems, just follow a few common-sense habits:

• Do not leave children or pets unattended outdoors.
• Walk dogs on a leash and keep cats indoors if possible.
• Do not leave pet food outside.
• Store garbage in an animal-proof containers or inside. (This also discourages racoons, crows, rodents.)
• Motion-sensor lights can discourage coyotes and other animals.

Coyotes (canis latrans, prairie wolf) have adapted easily to urban landscapes, but are rarely a problem. They are small, resourcefull, and normally live alone or with a mate. They live in ravines or green spaces near housing neighbourhoods, feeding on small mammals like mice, voles or rabbits, and plant food if necessary. They have been known to prey upon cats and small dogs. On rare occasions, coyotes get accustomed to people and may become bolder. Coyotes can also interbreed with wolves and dogs (known as Coydogs) and may form packs. In these cases it is sometimes necessary for wildlife officers to catch and kill them.

Sightings:

May 10, 2010 8:30 PM: A coyote was spotted crossing the road from Timagimi Court to Echo Park across Marina Drive. It was a larger-than-normal size coyote. (from CGYHA)

September 2009: New reports of Coyotes running throughout our community are once again being documented... Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) is aware of our concerns but, to date, has not taken any substantive action. (Ottawa Councillor Doug Thompson)

January 2008: Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR 1-800-667-1940) have estimated 20 dogs and cats are missing in the Greely area - in 2 cases coyotes are confirmed as the killers. Area sightings: Greely West Drive, Woodstream, Parkway Rd., South Village, Sunset Lakes, Albion Sun Vista, Stanley Park, Orchardview, Remmington Way, Lakeland Estates, Old Prescott Rd., Emerald Links, Shadow Ridge, Roger Stevens Drive, Oxford Mills.

February 2008: The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) provided this extensive information about coyotes and wildlife to Osgoode Ward.

Februrary 2009: A healthy, mature coyote was reported to the homeowner association by several residents. It was on the Rideau River ice by the intersection of Marina and Fairway Drive travelling north toward the Hickman Conservation Area.

• Links to Other Sites:
• City of Ottawa: Coyotes
• Ontario Minstry of Natural Resources (MNR)  1-800-667-1940
• Ontario Ministry of Agriculture: Livestock, Poultry and Honey Bee Protection Act - compensation for damages by dogs, wolves or coyotes.
• ServiceOntario Centre - Fish & Wildlife services, 10 Campus Drive, Kemptville 258-4846
• Contacts for sending information about coyotes:

Ontario Government:

1. Linda Jeffrey, MNR (linda.jeffrey@ontario.ca)
2. Scott Smithers, MNR, Kemptville (scott.smithers@ontario.ca)
3. Lisa MacLeod, MPP (lisa.macleod@pc.ola.org)

City of Ottawa:

1. Mayor Larry O’Brien (larry.obrien@ottawa.ca)
2. Derrick Moodie, Rural Affairs Office, City of Ottawa (derrick.moodie@ottawa.ca)
3. Councillor Doug Thompson, Ward 20 - Osgoode (doug.thompson@ottawa.ca)

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