Be On The Lookout

scotto

Administrator
Staff member
Feb 15, 2004
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The Beach Strip
#1
There have been a some reports of a couple of coyotes roaming the Beach. One resident who was walking on the path had to protect his small dog from getting attack, also one dog that was let out in a Beach backyard died after being mauled by another animal. It wasn't known though if the dog's death was from these coyotes. Beach residents with small pets should keep a better watch on them for now and any sightings of the coyotes should be reported to the SPCA.
Scotto
 

scotto

Administrator
Staff member
Feb 15, 2004
6,985
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The Beach Strip
#3
smr714;
Thanks for the info, do you see them yourself???
If anyone can get a picture of the coyotes, please send it in or post it.
Scotto.
 

scotto

Administrator
Staff member
Feb 15, 2004
6,985
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The Beach Strip
#4
From the March 2005 Beach Banner
COYOTE WARNING

Watch your pets when the are outside,
Either in your own yard or walking on the path.
A dog was attacked and subsequently died after
If was attached by something in it’s own backyard.
A small dog walking with it’s owner on the path
Was chased by a pair of coyotes and when the
Man took up a stick they didn’t run off, but stood
There till the man got away with the doe safely.
With the construction in the Red Hill Valley,
More and more wildlife are relocating on the
Beach so be careful out there.
 

scotto

Administrator
Staff member
Feb 15, 2004
6,985
218
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The Beach Strip
#5
It seems that there have been a couple more incidents with the coyotes on the Beach. It is important to keep city Animal Control informed of their movements, so report any sightings. If anyone has had any confrontations with these animals, please let me know.

Councilor Chad Collins is also asking for all information on this subject.

In response to some Coyote calls from the Beach, the City's animal control department is studying the issue, as we've received other calls from Fruitland Rd. (Stoney Creek), Garth St. (West Mtn.), and now Ancaster.

At this point, staff believe the population may be on the rise locally. We've witnessed the same with the local deer population. Staff are trying to verify this with the local Ministry office.

I relayed to our staff that we're concerned about the interaction of humans with the coyote(s) that may inhabit or visit the Beach community on a regular basis. We've had some confrontations (anecdotal stories) relayed to my office from local residents regarding some scary encounters. Staff verbally stated over the phone that it is not common for coyotes to attack humans, and data from across Ontario is scarse in this regard. However, incidents regarding domesticated animals and coyotes are common.

All that said, Animal Control staff are investigating the situation, as I fear public safety may be at risk.

If you come across individuals who have seen the coyotes pose a threat to people or their pets, can they contact my office with dates and details. This information may assist in determining the extent and scope of the problem.
Chad Collins


Chad has sent in a picture of a coyote taken yesterday in Ancaster.
 

scotto

Administrator
Staff member
Feb 15, 2004
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The Beach Strip
#6
Report from the Ministry of Natural Resources

Thanks to Chad for also sending in this report.
Co-existing with Coyotes

Coyotes are well adapted to inhabiting green belts in urban areas. While the presence of coyotes in residential areas is welcomed by some, other residents are concerned about their pets and public safety. This fact sheet offers some information about these animals and addresses some of the common concerns regarding coyotes.

DISTRIBUTION AND GENERAL BIOLOGY

The coyote is a small relative of the wolf. Adults average in weight between
30 and 40 lbs. (females are smaller than males). Coyotes originated in the prairies of North America, but are now found throughout most of North America, excluding the boreal forest and arctic tundra regions of Canada. Coyotes arrived in Ontario at the turn of the century and have since become well established throughout the agricultural and developed areas of the province. Habitat in Ontario includes marginal farmlands on the edge of the Canadian Shield, highly developed mixed farming areas, swamplands, parks and the edges of cities and towns. Coyotes are very adaptable and can do well in any area that includes forest edges. They even inhabit the natural valley lands, ravines and parks of large urban centres such as the City of Toronto.

Coyotes are opportunistic feeders and will consume a variety of foods, including meat, carrion, fruits and vegetable matter. The majority of their diet consists of small rodents, rabbits, mice and moles. Coyotes may prey on livestock and larger wildlife, including white-tailed deer. In residential areas coyotes are also known to prey upon domestic cats and small dogs.

ABUNDANCE

During the last decade, there have been more sightings of coyotes, as well as an increased occurrence of livestock loss claims and complaints from the public related to coyotes. This suggests that there may have been a temporary increase in the number of coyotes during the first half of the 1990s. This increase may be attributed to a number of factors.

• A series of mild winters during the early 1990s is believed to have resulted in an increase in easily accessible prey food. Coyote populations normally fluctuate with the abundance or scarcity of natural food. When food supplies are limited, they experience a lower rate of reproduction. Due to their adaptability and opportunistic feeding habits, as well as the effects of mild winters, coyote populations are believed to have increased during the early part of the decade.

• Residential development continues to expand into areas where coyotes are already established.



• The harvest of coyote populations through hunting and trapping has been reduced. Coyotes have no natural predators. They are hunted for sport, and are hunted and trapped for their pelts. Urban expansion into rural areas, lack of access to private lands, and municipal bylaws restricting discharge of firearms and the use of traps have significantly reduced the opportunities to hunt and trap coyotes in many areas. Low fur prices in recent years have also made it less desirable to hunt and trap coyotes for the fur industry.

COYOTES AND THE LOCAL ECOSYSTEM

The coyote is a natural part of the ecosystem in agricultural and rural as well as urban residential areas. Its presence in these areas is met with mixed reactions from the public. Some residents welcome coyotes as part of their local fauna and enjoy seeing and hearing their nocturnal vocalizations, while other residents are concerned about the safety of their pets and families. In many cases, concerns stem from simply seeing the animals.

For farmers the coyote can be very beneficial in controlling rodent pests that may cause damage to crops, orchards, tree nurseries and farm machinery which may be damaged by groundhog holes.

SAFETY CONCERNS

Many residents in areas of new urban development have specifically expressed concerns for the safety of their pets and children if they see coyotes. It is likely that coyotes were present in these areas before development and, as a result, residents in these new areas are now occasionally seeing the animals.

In rural areas, coyote problems typically relate to predation of livestock, such as sheep, poultry and calves. In suburban and urban areas, coyote concerns include damage to garden crops, raiding of garbage and possible preying on domestic pets such as cats and small dogs.

It is important to note that there are only a handful of documented cases of coyotes attacking people throughout North America. The Ministry of Natural Resources is unaware of any in Ontario.

Concerns have also been expressed about rabies. All warm-blooded animals are potential carriers of the rabies virus. Coyotes are not main carriers of the disease among wild animals, and represent less than one per cent of all diagnosed rabies incidents in wild animals in Ontario over the past 40 years. Exposure through domestic dogs and cats represents over 50 per cent of human exposure to rabies.

RESPONSE TO CONCERNS

Public Safety
In the event that a coyote, dog or other wild animal is presenting an immediate threat to public safety, residents are encouraged to call the local police who can take care of the problem. MNR staff can offer information about wildlife and dealing with nuisance problems.





Removal of Animals
In many cases landowners would like coyotes, as well as other wild animals, removed from their neighbourhoods. Research has demonstrated that wildlife relocated from one area to another typically returns or becomes a nuisance elsewhere. It is also inevitable that other animals will move in to the area.

Protection of Property
The Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act and Regulations allow landowners to kill, capture or harass a number of wildlife species, including coyotes, on their own lands where the animal has damaged, or landowners believe the animal may be about to damage, their property. Landowners may act on their own, or they may use an agent who is authorized by the regulations or the ministry. More than just the mere presence of an animal is required in order for the provisions to apply.

The animal may be shot or trapped. However, these activities may be prohibited by municipal bylaws in some areas. Safety must be practised, as landowners or agents acting on their behalf may incur civil or criminal liability if public safety is jeopardized. Only a farmer on his own land or a licensed trapper may use a body-gripping or leg-hold trap. The Ministry can provide landowners with the names of trappers that provide nuisance animal removal services in their area. The cost associated with removal of animals is the responsibility of the landowner.

Many wild animals have adapted to living in urban environments. The combination of suitable habitat conditions and lack of natural predators will continue to result in coyotes being a natural component of the local ecosystem. Through education and a few simple precautions, the public can protect itself from potential conflicts with coyotes and other wildlife.

PREVENTING COYOTE PROBLEMS

Keep all pets on leashes or confined to your yard
• Allowing pets to roam at large increases the risk of injury by wild animals, other domestic animals, and automobiles.
• In many cases, it may be unlawful to allow pets to run at large (municipal bylaws, Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act).

Secure garbage and pet food
• Properly stored and maintained garbage containers will prevent raccoons, skunks, cats and dogs or coyotes from becoming a nuisance.
• Proper waste management will also discourage the presence of small rodents, which are an important food source for coyotes.
• Removing pet food left outside will prevent coyotes and other animals from being attracted to your property.

Do not approach or feed coyotes
• Coyotes are wild animals, but can become less fearful of humans as a result of frequent contact.
• There may be more contact between coyotes and humans if coyotes are fed or otherwise encouraged to stay near residential areas.
• Educate children not to approach or harass any wild animals or unfamiliar domestic pets. This will reduce the risk of bites or exposure to wildlife-transmitted diseases.

Use motion-sensitive lights in yards or gardens
• Well-lit yards or the use of motion-sensitive lighting will make your property less attractive for coyotes and other nocturnal wildlife.


Exclusion
• Use of fencing low to the ground and high enough to prevent coyotes from jumping over will keep them out of your yard. An outside electric “hotwire” near the bottom, supported 6 to 8 inches away from the fence, will provide further security from coyotes and other wildlife.

Frightening
• The use of whistles, personal alarm devices or commercially available pepper sprays can be used to frighten an approaching or threatening animal.


FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Ministry of Natural Resources
Guelph District Office
GUELPH (519) 826-4955
 

ArmyOfOne

Registered User
Apr 10, 2004
3
0
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The Strip
#7
One coyote was sighted beside the highway sound barrier at the bottom of Wark Avenue around 12:30am, heading towards Woodward Avenue. This coyote ran away very quickly when a firecracker was lit.
 

scotto

Administrator
Staff member
Feb 15, 2004
6,985
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The Beach Strip
#10
tamtam said:
Does anyone in City Hall or On the Beach think these animals ,may be coming from the digging and up rooting for the Redhill express way?
Tamtam;
Could be(I was thinking that too), but the coyotes have been seen in other outlining areas before Redhill was started and we haven't seen a big increase in other animals such as deer, not yet anyway.
Scotto
 

scotto

Administrator
Staff member
Feb 15, 2004
6,985
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The Beach Strip
#11
From May 2005 Beach Banner

WARNING-COYOTE
After speaking with Hamilton Animal Control, it was established that the coyotes will NOT be trapped, and we must learn to co-exist with them.
Watch your pets closely. Always walk your dog on a leash. If confronted yell at them in a loud deep voice. Report it to Animal control ONLY if you have
an "incident" with them.
Call 905-574-3433 for dispatch.
Keep all availabe garbage and compost (edible) tightly contained.
Be careful out there.
 

scotto

Administrator
Staff member
Feb 15, 2004
6,985
218
63
The Beach Strip
#12
Attached is a recent pamphlet prepared by Animal Control Division regarding the Coyotes and was sent in by Councilor Collins. Chad thought it might be useful information in addition to what we already posted.
 
Jul 25, 2005
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#13
scotto said:
From May 2005 Beach Banner

WARNING-COYOTE
After speaking with Hamilton Animal Control, it was established that the coyotes will NOT be trapped, and we must learn to co-exist with them.
That is plain BS. Coexist with coyote?

We had a bounty on them years ago!! We had them erraticated. Damn DNR reintroduced them. Now they are attacking livestock, cats, dogs,....what have you, the very reason they were erradicated. I can see one of them getting a child soon if they keep up. Recently, Ohio lifted the restriction for shooting them. You can shoot them at anytime. I see them when hunting but they are afraid of us, run away and I can't get a good shot. All the hunters and farmers in this area will kill them on site if we can.
 

scotto

Administrator
Staff member
Feb 15, 2004
6,985
218
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The Beach Strip
#14
10speed;
I see what you mean, they are starting to be a real problem here also. Did not help with the new expressway going in as I'm sure that dislocated many of them. Now we have to co-exist.
 

scotto

Administrator
Staff member
Feb 15, 2004
6,985
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The Beach Strip
#15
Coyotes on the Beach Strip

The Hamilton Spectator
March 22, 2006

A few weeks ago we went up and visited Fred Bohrer and his young husky, Little Buddy, at West 5th and Rymal. Bohrer showed us where the coyotes run and howl, just behind his property.

That has brought other coyote reports. Kim Batstone, West Mountain, has a big rotti/shepherd cross named Hercules. He got attacked one night:

"Four or five coyotes surrounded him and took turns running up at him from behind. My screams did not scare them off. I very much fear for all the dogs and cats in the area."

The Hamilton Region Conservation Authority has issued a coyote warning to Beach Strip residents.

One dog owner there called to say she and her pet got chased by a coyote twice on a recent week. Her dog ended up getting its leash wrapped around a tree. She had to quickly unhook her dog and they charged for the safety of a neighbour's fenced yard.

Another reader says he's heard that crane operators at Dofasco have now spotted coyotes on the grounds there.
 
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