The Coyote population in the Greater Toronto-Hamilton area, specifically the Southwest Oakville and Southeast Burlington areas, has skyrocketed over the last 3 years. They are becoming bolder, more comfortable around humans, even traveling during the daytime in our neighbourhoods. Not only are they attacking our pets while we are with them, but they are also jumping 6ft fences to steal our pets from our backyards. Can you imagine the anguish a dog or cat owner faces to watch a coyote snatch their pet and eat them? This has happened to a few pet owners in our neighbourhood. Many of us are carrying protection (long sticks, pots and pans, baseball bats, whistles, water guns) when we go for walks. We are on edge. This should not have to be the case.

While nature trails may be their territory, our backyards are NOT. Enough is enough.

Case in point - On December 18th, 2020, near Lakeshore and Appleby in Burlington, a small poodle was snatched and killed from a fenced-in backyard, adjoining onto neighbouring yards. These predators are skilled. The coyote knew to block the dog from getting back inside its house and managed to jump over a 6ft fence with the helpless dog in its mouth. Many of you have sent replies to our petition with similar stories - thank  you for that.

Perhaps you may live in other residential parts of Canada or the GTHA area. Chances are you are also having this same issue. Due to extreme development to the north of the GTHA the Coyotes are being driven southwards along our rivers to Lake Ontario where they disperse. There are many hotspots in Toronto as well - the Beaches, Etobicoke and Thornhill.

We need our Provincial and Municipal government authorities to implement stronger solutions to address this problem. This is to ensure the safety of residents and pets in our community as well as the relationship between wildlife and our community. 

Bottomline, there needs to be a reduction in the quantity of coyotes in our areas. We believe multiple hazings are in order for identified dens with the goal that they will relocate themselves. Enough with the education, pamphlets and patsy responses from the municipal government. We know what we should do if we encounter a coyote. What we cannot deal with is the number of them encroaching upon our residential neighbourhoods and backyards.

Additionally, Coyote Warning signage needs to be installed in all areas where the Coyotes have been sighted. Current Residential Backyard height fence bylaws need to be changed to permit 8 foot fences in the Coyote hotspot areas. 

Please sign and share our petition to motivate our Government to action, otherwise the pet deaths will continue.

It would also help if you too would contact your Municipal and Provincial representatives so they address the issue with the Ministry of Natural Resources. To get more immediate attention in your area, please identify potential dens and share that with your Councillors for immediate hazing.

Pls also share our recent media coverage:   

https://www.insidehalton.com/news-story/10312219--attacking-our-pets-coyote-kills-beloved-family-pet-in-burlington-and-halton-residents-demand-action-to-stop-the-bolder-animals/

Thank you.