{"id":17629,"date":"2025-02-19T16:06:26","date_gmt":"2025-02-19T16:06:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/torontotribune.ca\/index.php\/2025\/02\/19\/toronto-coyote-attacks-sparking-understandable-fear-in-downtown-councillor-toronto\/"},"modified":"2025-02-19T16:06:26","modified_gmt":"2025-02-19T16:06:26","slug":"toronto-coyote-attacks-sparking-understandable-fear-in-downtown-councillor-toronto","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/torontotribune.ca\/index.php\/2025\/02\/19\/toronto-coyote-attacks-sparking-understandable-fear-in-downtown-councillor-toronto\/","title":{"rendered":"Toronto coyote attacks sparking \u2018understandable fear\u2019 in downtown: councillor – Toronto"},"content":{"rendered":"


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A recent string of coyote attacks in downtown neighbourhoods is sparking an \u201cunderstandable fear\u201d among residents and pet owners, one councillor says.<\/p>\n

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Ward 10 Spadina\u2014Fort York Coun. Ausma Malik made those comments in a request to the Economic and Community Development Committee to the creation of a \u201cUrgent Downtown Coyote Action Plan.\u201d<\/p>\n

Since the start of the year, there have been several reports of coyote attacks and dozens more of sightings in neighbourhoods such as Liberty Village and Fort York. The city told The Canadian Press<\/a><\/em> last week that as of Feb. 13, it has received 96 reports of coyotes in Malik\u2019s riding.<\/p>\n

The Coyote Safety Coalition \u2013 a group representing residents in those areas \u2013 claimed six coyote attacks occurred in a single night earlier last week, including at least two that required pet dogs to get emergency treatment.<\/p>\n

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\u201cIn advance of the City\u2019s planned updated Coyote Strategy slated for Q4 2025, in recognition of the unique nature of our highly-populated downtown communities with limited green space and the emerging crisis of attacks on and deaths of dogs, as well as understandable fear from families and dog owners, action must be taken,\u201d Malik said in her letter to the committee.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have been working with local residents to address this issue with urgency to address this issue, and more must be done.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Of those 96 reports, half were sightings, while 31 were from people concerned for public safety, like those who witnessed an approaching or attacking coyote.<\/p>\n

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The city said 10 reports were related to dangerous incidents, like a coyote attack or bite, and three of those happened on Feb. 10.<\/p>\n

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The city added it has \u201cstepped up\u201d its response in Liberty Village, including monitoring coyote activity in the area and educating residents about the animals\u2019 behaviour so they can safely coexist. The city also said it\u2019s consulting with wildlife experts, including those from the Ministry of Natural Resources, Toronto Zoo and Coyote Watch Canada.<\/p>\n