On a quiet Thursday morning in Markham, a 16-year-old girl was bitten by a coyote in a residential neighbourhood, leading to her hospitalization with minor injuries. The incident occurred near Mingay Avenue and Bur Oak Avenue, where emergency crews promptly responded to the distress call.   On the next Sunday evening,  a four year old was nipped.

Yet, the aftermath of these incidents raises a grave concern that affects both the wildlife and the community of Markham. Current city policy mandates that a coyote be killed, beheaded, and dissected for rabies testing following a human bite. This approach, though intended for public safety, disregards the availability of safe vaccines and more humane testing methods. 

This policy results in unnecessary harm and the likely indiscriminate killing of multiple coyotes in search of the one involved in the bite. More often than not, these animals are only protecting their dens and young ones, acting out of instinct rather than malice. Such methods not only disregard the ecological balance but fail to truly address public safety in a non-violent manner. 

We urge the City of Markham to reconsider this outdated and cruel policy. It’s essential to utilize alternative methods that protect both human and animal welfare. Rabies vaccinations, electronic monitoring, and stray animal education programs can mitigate these issues without resorting to lethal measures.   Trapping involves legholds, snares, and other cruel and dangerous practices.  Firearms are not always fast, pose a risk to the public, and animals are often shot in the side to preserve brain tissue.  Killing animals leave room for more to move in, and killing a dominant pair will break up the pack, causing several more to pair up.  What isn’t removed are the attractants.   Considering there were two incidents very close together suggests these may be dog bites, not coyote bites. https://www.markham.ca/sites/default/files/Coyote%2BResponse%2Band%2BCo-existence%2BStrategy.pdf

By leaving the coyote to their natural habitat and adopting humane wildlife control tactics, we can coexist peacefully with the wildlife that is a part of our community. 

Join us in urging Markham to adopt compassionate solutions that respect life and community well-being. Sign this petition to advocate for a change in policy that saves innocent lives and sustains ecological harmony.