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A toddler has suffered serious injuries after he was attacked by a coyote at a playground in Whitby, Ont., where there have been several recent sightings, Durham police say.
The two-year-old boy was at a playground at Vanier Park on Sunday evening when a coyote came into the area and attacked him, police said in a news release Monday.
The boy was bitten in the face before his guardian and bystanders were able to scare the coyote away, police said. The boy was taken to hospital with serious, but non-life-threatening injuries.
About an hour later, police responded to calls about a separate coyote spotted in distress near Harriet and Annes streets, police said. Officers located the animal and removed it from the area. No injuries were reported.
A growing number of coyote attacks across the city has prompted Toronto’s deputy mayor to introduce an action plan to address the problem at city hall. CBC’s Naama Weingarten has the story.
Durham police said they are working with the Town of Whitby, local animal services and the Durham Region Health Department to investigate the incidents, monitor coyote activity and work to prevent the risk of future encounters.
“While coyotes are a natural part of our local environment and incidents involving aggressive behaviour towards humans are rare, these encounters are taken very seriously,” the police release said.
“Residents are urged to remain vigilant and proactive, particularly near parks, playgrounds, trails, and other natural areas, especially during the early morning and evening hours when coyotes are most active.”
Several coyote incidents recently reported in Durham
The incidents come just weeks after another child in Whitby was taken to hospital after a coyote bite. The child had been bitten in a public field near a forested tree line.
At the time, police said several coyote incidents had recently been reported in the Durham Region. In a public advisory posted to social media, police warned people, especially pedestrians and pet owners, to “exercise caution when using public spaces.”
There have been 96 coyote sightings in Whitby in the last 30 days, according to the town’s online dashboard.
Other communities in and around Toronto have been dealing with coyote sightings over the past year or so.
York police issued a public warning after two children were attacked last month. And the Toronto received several complaints last year about a rise in coyotes in the Liberty Village neighbourhood, prompting the city to develop a new coyote strategy.
What to do to stay safe from coyotes
Police provided several tips for people to stay safe from coyotes:
- If spotted, keep a safe distance. Never approach, feed or interact with coyotes.
- Supervise children outside and keep pets on a short leash.
- Follow guidance and signage in areas where coyotes have been spotted.
- Whenever possible, avoid areas where coyotes have been known to be present.
- Remove food attractants like unsecured garbage, pet food and fallen fruit.
- If you encounter a coyote, remain calm and do not run. Make yourself big, make loud noises and back away slowly.
Police encouraged residents to report any future coyote sightings to animal services.
