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OMHS warns of cruelty after coyote shot at with paint gun by David Lea Oakville Beaver Staff 3 | Thursday, January 28, 2016 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com The Oakville and Milton Humane Society (OMHS) is warning residents not to take matters into their own hands after someone attempted to shoot a coyote with a paint gun last Friday (Jan. 22). Around 2 p.m., police said a black Mercedes SUV reportedly drove towards a coyote in the area of Albion Avenue and Oakville Trafalgar High School (OTHS). When it got close enough, witnesses said, the passenger got out and fired several shots with a paint gun. The coyote fled the area. It is unclear whether the animal was hit or injured. Coyote sightings in southeast Oakville have been on the increase in recent weeks. The Town held an information meeting last week during which officials spoke about a coyote local residents have nicknamed the "OT Coyote" or "Blondie." This coyote regularly visits OTHS because students feed it. During last week's meeting, officials said residents should discourage coyotes from approaching humans by not feeding them, shouting at them or even spraying them with a hose (when available). Laura Mackasey, an OMHS animal protective services manager, says shooting the animals with a paint gun goes too far. "In the OSPCA (Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) Act you cannot cause an animal pain or discomfort," said Mackasey. "By shooting something with a pellet gun or a paint gun, or anything like that, that is going to wound, but not kill a coyote... that can be an offence under the OSPCA Act and there can be a charge of animal cruelty." | Oakville Beaver file photo Laura Mackasey, Oakville and Milton Humane Society (OMHS) animal protective services manager, was on-hand for a coyote information meeting last week. Not long after, Mackasey was weighing in on an incident in which someone was shooting a paint gun at a coyote in southeast Oakville. At right, a coyote with mange seen in southwest Oakville last week. | photo by Riziero Vertolli ­ Oakville Beaver Mackasey said this is not the only example of people apparently trying to solve southeast Oakville's coyote situation themselves. She said over the last few days, dry pet food was left out in two different areas of southeast Oakville, Ennisclare Drive and at Gairloch Gardens. "We've been notified about them because people are concerned they are poisoned and my fear right now is people are going to try to take this into their own hands," said Mackasey. "In both cases, we removed it." While the use of poison has yet to be confirmed, Mackasey emphasized using poison against wild animals can also result in a charge of animal cruelty. She warned laying poisonous food or shooting at coyotes with paint guns is incredibly irresponsible and dangerous and may not just impact the coyotes. "If that was poison, that is a huge risk to every pet that is in that area," said Mackasey. "Same with attempting to shoot it. The reason we don't do those things is because it's not humane and it puts people and pets in more danger than they were previously." Anyone convicted of a charge of animal cruelty could face up to two years in prison and fines of up to $60,000. This week's special Musical Guests Saturday: The Pipers and Tappers Proud supporter of the Oakville Rangers. Trip Advisor's highest rated Oakville pub years in Oakville 9 Oak Park Blvd. Trafalgar Rd Robbie Burns night on January 30 Sold Out 231 Oak Park Blvd, Oakville First class is FREE @ Glen Abbey United 1469 Nottinghill Gate Oakville, ON L6M 1X7 Dundas St. Taunton Rd. The Pipes & Taps 289-863-1155 Hays Blvd Oak Park Blvd BRiNG tHiS AD AND tAkE $5 OFF ANy PUNCH CARD CLASS SCHEDULE THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY BEGiNNER 7:00 - 8:00 pm ZUMBA tONiNG 8:05-9:05 pm ZUMBA 9:15 - 10:15 am ZUMBA 5:30 - 6:30 pm ZUMBA 9:15 - 10:15 am ZUMBA 5:30 - 6:30 pm ZUMBA tONiNG 9:15 - 10:15 am ZUMBA 7:00 - 8:00 pm BEGiNNER 7:00 - 8:00 pm ZUMBA tONiNG 8:05 - 9:05 pm ZUMBA 11 :30 am - 12:30 pm PRICE LIST DIAMOND DIAMOND Voted Best Accountant by Oakville Beaver Readers for 9 Consecutive Years 5 Class 10 Class 20 Class 30 Class $50 $90 $160 $210 Monthly Pass First Class Drop in Winter Season Pass $75 FREE $12 $190 (unlimited classes January 2 - March 31, 2016) CPA, CA, MBA, B. Eng Ricky Wong W For more information please check our website www.rickywong.ca · Accounting · Auditing · Taxation 1200 Speers Rd., Unit 32, Oakville, Ont. L6L 2X4 (905) 845 - 1408 | Fax (905) 845 - 5931 Times and locations may change. Please check website for updates. Prices includes HST · Accepted payments: cash, check or online via PayPal · Please make CHEQUES PAYABLE TO ZUMBA FITNESS CANADA