When to Call 311
Most callers to 311 we receive about coyotes do not require intervention from the city. These calls usually report sightings of coyotes exhibiting typical, non-alarming behaviour (e.g., hunting and catching small rodents, following you or your pet at a distance of more than 40 metres, curiously gazing at you or your pet from a distance, etc.).
The presence of coyotes in our city is a sign of a healthy, balanced ecosystem. Coyotes are naturally curious and intelligent animals. It is common to see them travelling in parks, green spaces, roads and sidewalks while watching people and pets at a distance.
However, coyotes that have been desensitized to humans through food conditioning or coyotes protecting their dens or pups from off-leash dogs may become aggressive.
When a coyote makes contact with you or your pet or is exhibiting fearless or aggressive behaviour as outlined below, always call 311.
Problematic Coyote Behaviour Checklist
- A coyote does not move away from you when it is within 40 metres in a residential area during the day
- Coyote approaches you or your leashed pet within 20 metres (approx the width of a standard residential lot) in any area at any time of day.
- Coyote follows you or your leashed pet closely from a distance of less than 20 metres.
- Coyote enters a fenced residential yard by jumping over the fence.
- Coyote is seen repeatedly during the day in an area where there are children (e.g., playground, schoolyard, urban park).
- Bites, nips or makes other physical contacts with a pet or person.
It Is Also Important To Call 311 When:
- A coyote is so injured or sick that it cannot move
- A coyote is trapped in an area of your yard (private property)
- Someone is intentionally feeding coyotes
- You suspect coyotes have a den with pups in a residential area