It's pup season
Image
Be sure to keep a safe distance from coyotes and their
dens
It’s pup season,
which means you may be seeing more young coyotes in the community. Although you
may want to approach them out of curiosity or to take a picture, the City of
Vaughan is reminding everyone to keep a safe distance.
Going near dens is not safe
for you or the animals living in them. It is unlawful to disturb or cause
distress to wildlife and is subject to a $900 fine.
Coyotes typically give birth
between April and May, with the average litter size around four to seven pups.
Family size varies depending on habitat, available food sources and human
impact. Sightings and encounters with coyotes increase in the spring while they
are protecting their den.
Coyote sightings in cities and
rural areas are common and should not be cause for alarm. The City understands
their presence can become a challenge in residential areas and they can also be
intimidating to some people.
If you encounter a coyote,
keep your distance and keep pets on a short leash. If the coyote approaches you
directly:
- stop: pick up children and small pets, if necessary.
- stand your ground: never run from a coyote, fox or domestic dog.
- make yourself big: wave your hands above your head.
- be loud and assertive: shout, stomp your feet and clap your hands.
- use a noisemaker: it could be your voice, pots and pans banged together, a shaker can (such as a pop can filled with pebbles), a plastic bag (snap it around), or an umbrella popping open and closed.
- slowly back away: be assertive as you leave so the animal knows it is not welcome.
Recently, Members of Council
approved the Coyote
Response and Coexistence Strategy that outlines response
efforts as well as what residents can do to help avoid or reduce interactions
with coyotes. The actions outlined in this strategy are designed to increase your
knowledge and understanding of how coyotes behave and how to manage their
behaviour to reduce or eliminate conflicts.
The City is also offering the
following tips on managing urban wildlife in Vaughan.
Never feed wildlife
Directly or unintentionally
feeding a wild animal will increase its tolerance to people and pets. Reconsider
bird feeders as they attract small mammals, which encourage larger wild animals
to visit your yard. Feeding animals or leaving food items in parks to attract
wildlife is subject to a $500 fine.
Be a responsible pet owner
Always keep dogs on leashes when
outdoors and keep cats indoors or in a secure outdoor enclosure. Free-roaming
pets are vulnerable to a multitude of dangers. Almost all conflicts between
wildlife and domestic dogs occur when dogs are off-leash.
Do not invite unwanted
houseguests
Keep your home properly sealed
so wildlife stays outdoors. Remove attractants by picking up dog feces,
cleaning outdoor grills and securing recycling and compost bins. Only put waste
out on collection days, rather than leaving it on the street overnight. Collect
and store bins and any uncollected garbage on the same day.
To report a sick or injured
wild animal, please call Access Vaughan at 905-832-2281. For more information, go
to vaughan.ca/AnimalServices.
For
updates and news as they happen, subscribe to Vaughan News and follow the
official corporate channels on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.
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