A young child was seriously injured in Whitby, Ontario, after a coyote attacked him at a local playground, according to Durham police. The incident occurred at Vanier Park on Sunday evening when the two-year-old boy was bitten on the face by the coyote. Fortunately, his guardian and bystanders were able to scare the animal away, and he was taken to the hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.
Shortly after the playground incident, police responded to reports of another coyote in distress near Harriet and Annes streets. The officers located the coyote and removed it without any reported injuries.
Durham police are collaborating with the Town of Whitby, local animal services, and the Durham Region Health Department to investigate the coyote incidents, monitor coyote activity, and prevent future encounters. While emphasizing that coyotes are a natural part of the local environment and human aggression incidents are rare, the police underscored the importance of remaining vigilant, especially near parks, playgrounds, and natural areas during peak coyote activity times.
These incidents follow a recent coyote bite involving another child in Whitby and a series of reported coyote incidents in the Durham Region. Authorities have issued warnings urging caution in public spaces, particularly for pedestrians and pet owners.
In the last month alone, Whitby has recorded 96 coyote sightings, as indicated on the town’s online dashboard. Other nearby communities, including Toronto, have also experienced an increase in coyote sightings. York police issued a public warning after two children were attacked, and Toronto received complaints about rising coyote numbers in the Liberty Village neighborhood, leading to the development of a new coyote strategy.
To ensure safety from coyotes, police have provided the following tips:
– Maintain a safe distance if you spot a coyote and never approach, feed, or interact with them.
– Supervise children outdoors and keep pets on a short leash.
– Adhere to guidance and signage in areas with known coyote presence.
– Avoid areas where coyotes have been sighted whenever possible.
– Eliminate food attractants like unsecured garbage, pet food, and fallen fruit.
– If you encounter a coyote, remain calm, make yourself appear larger, create loud noises, and back away slowly.
Residents are encouraged to report any future coyote sightings to animal services to ensure community safety.
