Reminder to pet owners: It's still coyote mating season
Municipalities all over Canada are reminding residents to remain vigilant as coyote mating season continues.
The Town of Oakville, for example, re-shared a video on “coyote hazing” that shows you how to haze or scare coyotes away if they’re on your property.
“Seeing a coyote in Oakville is not necessarily cause for alarm,” the Town of Oakville reminded residents. “They are usually wary of humans and avoid people whenever possible, however, they are wild animals and we should avoid contact.”
While most humans are well-aware of the dangers of approaching a coyote, your pet may let curiosity or their territorial instincts get the better of them. People are reminded to supervise their dogs while outdoors and refrain from letting cats roam free.
“Coyotes may become more visible in the winter as they seek a mate,” added the Town of Oakville. “Vocalizations in the form of yipping and howling may become more common during this time as they communicate with one another.”
“While hazing usually works to frighten off a coyote, it doesn’t always work during the spring when there is a den and pups to defend during the spring and summer months,” it added.
The Town of Oakville provided the following tips to discourage coyotes from entering your property:
- Never feed or leave food out for a coyote.
- Remove all water and food sources from your yard, including birdseed and ripe/rotted fruit that has fallen to the ground.
- Store garbage, compost, and pet food in a place coyotes cannot access.
- Supervise animals when they are in the yard. Cats should not be permitted to roam freely.
- Clean up after your dog. Coyotes are attracted to dog feces.
- Remove long grass, dead brush and woodpiles. These conditions provide potential den sites for coyotes or other wild animals that attract coyotes.
- Ensure gaps around and under decks and sheds are closed off with wire screening.
- Use motion sensors.
If you encounter a coyote on your property or when out for a walk:
- Practice hazing to let the coyote know they are not welcome. Appear aggressive: stand tall, wave your arms, shout, clap your hands and make lots of noise.
- Keep pets attended and on leash.
- Do not turn your back on, or run from, a coyote.
- If you see pups or suspect there are pups in the area or if the coyote is not easily frightened away, keep your dog on a short leash, pick up small pets and children, and back away from the area. Consider changing your route for a few weeks. The coyote may have been denning in the area and will likely move on after some time.
- Do not leave food waste in town garbage cans in parks as this may attract rodents which may in turn attract coyotes.
Oakville residents can also view the town’s coyote reporting form.
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