Coyotes spotted outside of Wallaceburg

A pack of coyotes has been spotted, just outside of Wallaceburg.

A resident on Beattie Street spotted five of the animals walking along the frozen Sydenham River on Saturday evening, just as it was starting to get dark.

They were seen walking in the cut directly beside the Happy Tails Off-Leash Dog Park, before they wandered along the river towards town.

North Kent Coun. Leon Leclair said he has not heard of coyotes being much of a problem around this part of Chatham-Kent.

“They are out there,” Leclair said. “On a clear night, you can hear them howling.”

Leclair said he hasn’t gotten any recent calls from anyone with concerns.

“They will go after rabbits and mice,” he said. “They have been known to go into people’s yards out in the country, and go after people’s cats or even small dogs. It hasn’t really been much of an issue here.”

Ministry of Natural Resources officials say coyotes, like other wild animals, sometimes come into conflict with humans.

“Since migrating to Ontario from the west over 100 years ago, coyotes have adapted well to urban environments and
can now be found in both rural and urban settings,” MNR officials stated.

“Coyotes can be found in all of Ontario but are most abundant in southern agricultural Ontario. Coyotes do not survive well north of this area where habitat is different and where they must compete with wolves. Changes in land use, agricultural practices, weather and natural food shortages may contribute to increased coyote sightings in your community.”

The MNR has also provided these tips:

Do not approach or feed coyotes

– Coyotes are usually wary of humans and avoid people whenever possible. However, they are wild animals and should not be approached.

– People should NOT feed coyotes. Feeding them makes the animals less fearful of humans and habituates them to food provided by humans.

– Aggressive behaviour towards people is unusual for coyotes, but people should always exercise caution around wildlife.

If you encounter a coyote

– Never attempt to “tame” a coyote.

– Do not turn your back on or run from a coyote. Back away from the coyote while remaining calm.

– Use whistles and personal alarm devices to frighten an approaching or threatening animal.

Secure garbage and minimize attractants on your property

– Properly store and maintain garbage containers to help prevent coyotes from becoming a problem.

– Place trash bins inside an enclosed structure to discourage the presence of small rodents, which are an important food source for coyotes.

– Put garbage at curbside the morning of the scheduled pickup, rather than the night before.

– Use enclosed composting bins rather than exposed piles. Coyotes are attracted to dog and cat waste as well as products containing meat, milk and eggs.

– Pick ripe fruit from fruit trees and remove fallen fruit from the ground and keep bird feeders from overflowing as coyotes are fond of fruit, nuts, and seeds.

– Protect vegetable gardens with heavy-duty garden fences or place vegetable plants in a greenhouse. Check with your local nursery to see what deterrent products are available.

– Consider eliminating artificial water sources such as koi ponds.

– Keep pet food indoors.

Use deterrents and fences to keep coyotes away from your home and gardens

– Use motion-sensitive lighting and/or motion-activated sprinkler systems to make your property less attractive to coyotes and other nocturnal wildlife.

– Fence your property or yard. It is recommended the fence be at least six feet tall with the bottom extending at least six inches below the ground and/or a foot outward. A roller system can be attached to the top of the fence, preventing animals from gaining the foothold they need to pull themselves up and over the top of a fence.

– Electric fencing can also help deter coyotes from properties or gardens in some circumstances

– Clear away bushes and dense weeds near your home where coyotes may find cover and small animals to feed upon.

– Close off crawl spaces under porches, decks, and sheds. Coyotes use such areas for denning and raising young.

Keep Pets Safe

– Cats and small dogs may be seen as prey by coyotes, while larger dogs may be injured in a
confrontation.

To avoid these situations consider the following suggestions:

– Install proper fencing (see above).

– As coyotes are primarily nocturnal, animals should be kept inside at night.

– Keep all pets on leashes or confined to a yard.

– Keep cats indoors and do not allow pets to roam from home.

– Walk your dog on a leash at all times. If your yard does not have a fence, use a leash while on your property to keep your dog close to you.

– Spay or neuter your dogs. Coyotes are attracted to, and can mate with, domestic dogs that have not been spayed or neutered.

Prevent predation on livestock

– Barns or sheds can provide effective protection from coyote predation for livestock that bed inside or nearby at night.

– Guard animals, such as donkeys, llamas and dogs can be a cost-effective way to protect livestock from coyotes. Guard animals will develop a bond with livestock if they are slowly integrated and will aggressively repel predators.