For Children and Pax, advocate for humane coexistence with coyotes in Whitby
The Issue
On July 5th, 2026, a coyote bit a 2 year old boy on the face at the Vanier Playground. The coyote was successfully hazed by residents and the boy is recovering from non life threatening injuries. This incident happened at 8:30pm. One has to ask why a 2 year old was out at that time. Unfortunately, this was leaked to social media, leading to mass hysteria. A gentle coyote 3 kilometres away at Harriet Street and Anne's Street was "removed" by police after panicked phone calls from distressed residents at 9:30pm. He or she never bit anyone. We would like Animal Services to provide a humane 24/7 animal ambulance so that any animal in distress can receive a peaceful response. I have named the coyote who was "removed" by police Pax. Please post complaints about Pax's "removal" using this form.
Whitby Animal Services has verified that there is NO plan to capture or kill the coyotes who bit the toddlers. They are using a hands off approach similar to Ottawa. Please contact the Mayor and City Council and request that the higher levels of government, including the Durham Regional Police Services, maintain the Whitby Animal Services humane hands off approach. Also ask that Animal Services are the first responder all animals in distress calls, instead of police. Animal Services should be present as a first responder for all animal related calls. Ask that the council develop a no kill Coexistence Policy and contract with Coyote Watch Canada.
Imagine my heartbreak when I learned that a family of coyotes was relentlessly hunted down and killed in Markham. This tragic event occurred weeks after a 5 year old child was bitten.
On June 22, 2026 an incident had happened in Whitby, where a 1 year old boy was bitten by a coyote. The coyote who bit the 1 year old ran off into the woods and was never located.
Thankfully Whitby Animal Services uses a peaceful coexistence approach, but police do not always respond peacefully.
The city of Whitby even admits that these coyotes were only trying to protect their puppies and didn't mean to hurt toddlers. Fortunately coyotes are leave their natal dens now. Please ask the City of Whitby to manage animals peacefully without destruction. The City of Ottawa managed a child bite case without harming or killing a single coyote. Ottawa instead chose to close the affected park and trail until the pups left their den on their own.
https://www.ctvnews.ca/toronto/local/durham/article/child-to-hospital-after-coyote-bite-in-whitby/
Coyotes are an integral part of our ecosystem, providing vital ecological benefits. Yet, when incidents like this occur, the knee-jerk reaction often leads to a violent response, a solution that is neither effective nor humane. Whitby has a terrible track record when it comes to coyotes, even killing an entire family in 2024.
Whitby lacks a Coyote Coexistence Strategy. While the Mayor wants a strategy, we request this proposed strategy is 100% non lethal and humane. Ask Mayor Elizabeth Roy to create a no kill solution at the next Community Safety Roundtable. Please comment on Mayor Elizabeth Roy's post.
According to a study by the Humane Society of the United States, lethal control methods such as trapping or shooting are not only cruel but also generally ineffective at addressing human-wildlife conflicts in the long term. These methods can also inadvertently harm children, pets, and other wildlife. Bullets often ricochet off the animal and can hit members of the public. Traps often injure non target animals and cause suffering for all animals. Coyotes are reluctant to enter cage traps, so often leghold traps and snares are used.
We must recognize that killing coyotes does not address the root cause of these interactions. It is crucial to focus on removing attractants, such as food scraps and open garbage, which draw coyotes closer to human habitats. Effective educational programs, diligent waste management, and community engagement can foster a cohabitative relationship between humans and coyotes.
In Ottawa, successful non-lethal programs have demonstrated that coexistence is possible through public education and conscious deterrence strategies. Communities there have implemented plans that include securing garbage, constructing coyote-proof fences, and employing passive hazing techniques. These methods not only ensure the safety of children and pets but also preserve wildlife.
If we can prevent future incidents and live harmoniously with coyotes in Ottawa, there is no reason Whitby cannot achieve the same. Let's urge the City of Whitby to put into official policies comprehensive, humane management plans that focus on prevention and coexistence.
Sign this petition and join me in advocating for humane and non-lethal solutions to ensure a safe and compassionate approach to wildlife management in Whitby. Together, we can bring positive change for our community and wildlife alike. Your support can make a difference.
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The Issue
On July 5th, 2026, a coyote bit a 2 year old boy on the face at the Vanier Playground. The coyote was successfully hazed by residents and the boy is recovering from non life threatening injuries. This incident happened at 8:30pm. One has to ask why a 2 year old was out at that time. Unfortunately, this was leaked to social media, leading to mass hysteria. A gentle coyote 3 kilometres away at Harriet Street and Anne's Street was "removed" by police after panicked phone calls from distressed residents at 9:30pm. He or she never bit anyone. We would like Animal Services to provide a humane 24/7 animal ambulance so that any animal in distress can receive a peaceful response. I have named the coyote who was "removed" by police Pax. Please post complaints about Pax's "removal" using this form.
Whitby Animal Services has verified that there is NO plan to capture or kill the coyotes who bit the toddlers. They are using a hands off approach similar to Ottawa. Please contact the Mayor and City Council and request that the higher levels of government, including the Durham Regional Police Services, maintain the Whitby Animal Services humane hands off approach. Also ask that Animal Services are the first responder all animals in distress calls, instead of police. Animal Services should be present as a first responder for all animal related calls. Ask that the council develop a no kill Coexistence Policy and contract with Coyote Watch Canada.
Imagine my heartbreak when I learned that a family of coyotes was relentlessly hunted down and killed in Markham. This tragic event occurred weeks after a 5 year old child was bitten.
On June 22, 2026 an incident had happened in Whitby, where a 1 year old boy was bitten by a coyote. The coyote who bit the 1 year old ran off into the woods and was never located.
Thankfully Whitby Animal Services uses a peaceful coexistence approach, but police do not always respond peacefully.
The city of Whitby even admits that these coyotes were only trying to protect their puppies and didn't mean to hurt toddlers. Fortunately coyotes are leave their natal dens now. Please ask the City of Whitby to manage animals peacefully without destruction. The City of Ottawa managed a child bite case without harming or killing a single coyote. Ottawa instead chose to close the affected park and trail until the pups left their den on their own.
https://www.ctvnews.ca/toronto/local/durham/article/child-to-hospital-after-coyote-bite-in-whitby/
Coyotes are an integral part of our ecosystem, providing vital ecological benefits. Yet, when incidents like this occur, the knee-jerk reaction often leads to a violent response, a solution that is neither effective nor humane. Whitby has a terrible track record when it comes to coyotes, even killing an entire family in 2024.
Whitby lacks a Coyote Coexistence Strategy. While the Mayor wants a strategy, we request this proposed strategy is 100% non lethal and humane. Ask Mayor Elizabeth Roy to create a no kill solution at the next Community Safety Roundtable. Please comment on Mayor Elizabeth Roy's post.
According to a study by the Humane Society of the United States, lethal control methods such as trapping or shooting are not only cruel but also generally ineffective at addressing human-wildlife conflicts in the long term. These methods can also inadvertently harm children, pets, and other wildlife. Bullets often ricochet off the animal and can hit members of the public. Traps often injure non target animals and cause suffering for all animals. Coyotes are reluctant to enter cage traps, so often leghold traps and snares are used.
We must recognize that killing coyotes does not address the root cause of these interactions. It is crucial to focus on removing attractants, such as food scraps and open garbage, which draw coyotes closer to human habitats. Effective educational programs, diligent waste management, and community engagement can foster a cohabitative relationship between humans and coyotes.
In Ottawa, successful non-lethal programs have demonstrated that coexistence is possible through public education and conscious deterrence strategies. Communities there have implemented plans that include securing garbage, constructing coyote-proof fences, and employing passive hazing techniques. These methods not only ensure the safety of children and pets but also preserve wildlife.
If we can prevent future incidents and live harmoniously with coyotes in Ottawa, there is no reason Whitby cannot achieve the same. Let's urge the City of Whitby to put into official policies comprehensive, humane management plans that focus on prevention and coexistence.
Sign this petition and join me in advocating for humane and non-lethal solutions to ensure a safe and compassionate approach to wildlife management in Whitby. Together, we can bring positive change for our community and wildlife alike. Your support can make a difference.
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Petition created on June 23, 2026