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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Friday, January 9, 2015 | 6 It's not all that uncommon to hear about coyotes snatching up smaller dogs left unattended. But the wild dogs seem to be getting more brazen. While a band of coyotes has been living peacefully near an Oakville resident's backyard for a couple months (pictured here), other communities have had issues with the wild canines. In nearby Mississauga, a Yorkshire terrier was recently walking on a leash with its owner when a coyote dashed into the street to carry it off. In October, a Burlington resident's backyard security camera captured a coyote violently shaking a King Charles spaniel before eventually eeing. There have also been reports of at least two people in Brampton being bitten by what's believed to be a coyote. This is highly unusual behaviour for coyotes, which generally avoid people. They're described as shy, cautious and non-confrontational creatures, although they can be curious and experimental. It's so rare, in fact, that according to Toronto Wildlife Centre executive director Nathalie Karvonen, there has only been one con rmed coyote attack on humans One of a pack of coyotes living peace- in Toronto's hisfully with neighbours in Oakville. | tory. There are far photo courtesy Dale Powell more dog attacks than coyote attacks. Halton Regional Police shot a coyote in Oakville in 2012 after it bit an eight-year-old girl while she and a friend were playing in a backyard. If recent attacks are coyote-related, clearly something is making the animals more daring. The eastern coyote is a hybrid between the smaller western coyote and eastern wolf. They're a highlyadaptable species, which is why they can be found in rural areas as well as suburban and urban centres. Rabies is rare in coyotes in Ontario, the Ministry of Natural Resources notes, and coyotes might actually help reduce the incidence of rabies because they often prey on foxes, a species more likely to carry the disease. It's incumbent upon all of us to ensure we're not inviting coyotes into our residential areas. Coyotes should never be fed. Pet food and water should be kept inside, trash cans should be covered, large amounts of bird seed shouldn't be left out on lawns, and rotted fruit should be cleared off the ground. If you encounter a coyote, stand tall, wave your arms, and yell at the animal, approaching the canine if necessary, until it moves away. Never turn your back or run away. Stand tall, make noise and never run Editorial A S P E C I A L V I S "Connected to your Community" I T 447 Speers Road, Oakville ON, L6K 3S4 General Inquiries: (905) 845-3824 Editorial Department: (905) 632-0588 Classi ed Advertising: (905) 632-4440 Circulation: 5300 Harvester Rd., Burlington (905) 631-6095 Volume 53 | Number 3 When Oakville resident Gord Woods went out for a walk Saturday, he ended up juggling his cell phone and dog, but managed to snap a photo or two of a snowy owl, something of an unusual sighting for Woods. The majestic bird was perched on a Town of Oakville sign along the Homecoming Trail heritage walkway at the Oakville Harbour of Lake Ontario. "It's tough to hold a puppy and a cell phone at once, but the pictures do signify a `Homecoming,'" said Woods, who submitted his photo to the Oakville Beaver to share with readers. | photo courtesy Gord Woods The Oakville Beaver is a division of Editorial and advertising content of the Oakville Beaver is protected by copyright. Unauthorized use is prohibited. Vice ­President and Group Publisher of Metroland West Regional General Manager Halton Region Editor in Chief Advertising Director NEIL OLIVER DAVID HARVEY JILL DAVIS DANIEL BAIRD Managing Editor ANGELA BLACKBURN RIZIERO VERTOLLI Photography Director Business Manager SANDY PARE MARK DILLS Reader says `Thank you' to `Paul' On Sunday, Dec. 21, I was lling up my car with gas at the ESSO station at Speers Road and Dorval Drive. I put my card in the slot and then put it back in my wallet. I then put my wallet on top of my car. As I drove over to the carwash next door, I realized what I had done. When I went back My View Director of Production MANUEL GARCIA Production Manager Director of Distribution CHARLENE HALL KIM MOSSMAN Circulation Manager to the pump, no wallet anywhere. It had not been turned into the station. After searching some more, I went home. To my surprise, my wallet had been returned by a man named Paul. My sincere thanks to you, Paul. All the best for the New Year. Nancy Campbell, Oakville Proud Official Media Sponsor For: Canadian Circulations Audit Board Member Recognized for Excellence by Ontario Community Newspapers Association Canadian Community Newspapers Association Support of women appreciated Every holiday season, I am touched and inspired by the outpouring of generosity shown by individuals, families, schools, churches and corporations to the women and children who call Halton Women's Place `home.' On behalf of all those women and children -- I thank you. Through the Holiday Hamper program, you helped ll the wish lists of more than 150 families, giving these women and their children a reason to look forward to the holidays Not only did this community ll holiday hampers, but many of you organized your own campaigns for our shelters and clients -- pyjamas, slippers, pillows, gift cards and food drives. Our hard-to-buy-for teens were provided for through gift cards speci cally for them. Each and every donation was so appreciated. We received an abundance of toys and were able to help other non-pro t organizations that assist children throughout the year. On behalf of them, we thank you. Making the decision to start a new life free of violence is often a dif cult one. We continue to be inspired by the strength that each woman shows as she comes into our see Support on p.7 Proud Official Media Sponsor For: The Oakville Beaver welcomes letters from its readers. Letters will be edited for clarity, length, legal considerations and grammar. In order to be published all letters must contain the name, address and phone number of the author. Letters should be addressed to: The Editor, Oakville Beaver, 5040 Mainway, Burlington ON L7L 7G5 or via e-mail to; ablackburn@oakvillebeaver.com. The Beaver reserves the right to refuse to publish a letter. The Oakville Beaver is a member of the Ontario Press Council. The council is located at 80 Gould St., Suite 206, Toronto, Ont., M5B 2M7. Phone 416-340-1981. Advertising is accepted on the condition that, in the event of a typographical error, that portion of advertising space occupied by the erroneous item, together with a reasonable allowance for signature, will not be charged for, but the balance of the advertisement will be paid for at the applicable rate. The publisher reserves the right to categorize advertisements or decline.