Residents of Toronto’s Liberty Village and Fort York neighborhoods are alarmed after a surge in aggressive coyote encounters, including multiple attacks on pets, some of which have been fatal.
On Friday, concerned dog owners gathered at Ordnance Triangle Park, near Strachan Avenue and Fort York National Historic Site, to share their harrowing experiences and call for immediate intervention.
In the past nine days alone, 13 coyote attacks have been reported, with three fatal incidents over recent months. Ruby Kooner, a Liberty Village resident, lost her dog Amber in December after a vicious attack near the park. Kooner described being ambushed by two coyotes, one biting Amber multiple times. Despite emergency veterinary care, Amber succumbed to sepsis weeks later.
“It was very traumatic. … I’m absolutely heartbroken,” Kooner said.
Determined to prevent further tragedies, Kooner has been documenting negative coyote encounters and advocating for solutions, including the relocation of aggressive coyotes to sanctuaries or increased city intervention. She warned of coyotes seen near playgrounds, fearing that a child could be next.
“This is a man-made problem because we destroyed their habitat,” Kooner added. “These coyotes have lost their food source. They’re desperate and in survival mode.”
The City of Toronto has extended patrols around Ordnance Triangle Park and Garrison Common from 6:30 to 8:30 a.m. daily for the next month, with further evaluations planned. Officials have also increased educational outreach, added signage in parks, and enhanced lighting in affected areas.
Over the past two weeks, the city has received 34 coyote-related complaints in Liberty Village, verifying four incidents—one involving a lunging coyote and three confirmed dog attacks, including two injuries and one fatality.
The latest deadly attack occurred last Friday at Canoe Landing Park, where a coyote snatched a four-and-a-half-year-old chihuahua, Chico, from its owner, Jessica. She described the attack as swift and violent, with the coyote emerging from a bush and running off with her three-pound pet. After an extensive search, Chico’s remains were found partially buried under a stairwell near Fort York Historic Site.
“This dog was like my kid. I just can’t believe this happened,” Jessica said, devastated by the loss.
City officials say they take all coyote attacks seriously and are deploying aversion techniques to deter the animals. However, they stress that coexisting with urban wildlife requires community awareness, including keeping dogs leashed.
Local MPP Chris Glover criticized the Ford government for failing to consider the impact of habitat destruction at Ontario Place and the Ontario Line rail corridor, leading to displaced coyotes hunting in residential areas.
“These coyotes have lost their places to hunt and are now hunting dogs,” Glover said. “We need a solution.”
Spadina-Fort York Councillor Ausma Malik echoed concerns over increased coyote aggression in downtown neighborhoods. She has called for more patrols and is pushing for an updated Coyote Response Strategy, last revised in 2013.
The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) is advising the city on coyote conflict management but does not provide removal services. Currently, Toronto’s policy is to trap aggressive coyotes and release them within a one-kilometer radius, a measure many residents feel is insufficient.
With tensions rising and fears for both pets and children, residents continue to demand stronger, long-term solutions to the growing coyote problem.
Source: Swifteradio.com
