Toronto residents are on high alert after a series of coyote attacks in the west end of the city. The latest incident occurred on Monday evening, when a woman was bitten by a coyote while walking her dog in High Park.
According to Toronto Animal Services, there have been a total of six reported coyote attacks in the west end since December. The majority of the attacks have targeted small dogs, but the latest incident involving a human has raised concerns among residents.
The woman, who wishes to remain anonymous, was walking her dog on a leash when a coyote suddenly appeared and attacked her dog. When she tried to intervene, the coyote bit her on the hand before running away.
The victim was taken to the hospital and received treatment for her injuries. She has since been released and is expected to make a full recovery. However, the incident has left her shaken and fearful of walking her dog in the area.
This attack follows a similar incident in January, where a woman was bitten by a coyote while walking her dog in the same area. In both cases, the coyotes were described as being bold and unafraid of humans.
Toronto Animal Services has issued a warning to residents, advising them to be cautious when walking their pets in areas where coyotes are known to roam. They also recommend keeping pets on a leash and carrying a whistle or air horn to scare off any potential attacks.
In response to the recent attacks, the city has increased patrols in the affected areas and is working with experts to develop a plan to manage the coyote population. They are also reminding residents to never feed or approach coyotes, as this can lead to them becoming more comfortable around humans.
Coyotes are a common sight in Toronto, with an estimated population of 2,000 in the city. While attacks on humans are rare, they can occur when coyotes become habituated to urban environments and lose their fear of humans.
Residents are urged to report any coyote sightings or aggressive behavior to Toronto Animal Services at 311. By working together, we can ensure the safety of both humans and wildlife in our city.
