The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

2 - The Oakville Beaver, Friday February 27, 2009 www.oakvillebeaver.com Coyotes are getting used to humans Continued from page 1 -dat te erable notoriety in recent days after one jumped over a fence in the Toronto Beach neighbourhood and made off with a family's pet Chihuahua. In Oakville, coyote concern is also on the rise with a woman recently reporting she had put her Dalmatian in the backyard of her home, located in the Dundas and Bronte area, when it was confronted by two coyotes. The dog was not injured -- it was separated from the coyotes by a chain link fence -- but the growling and snarling that ensued during the confrontation was enough to distress the Dalmatian's owner. Tricia Cross, who lives in the area was also unnerved by the incident. "Coyotes are very comfortable in the area, unfortunately. I look out my window and I'll see them trotting along the path," she said. "Now, after what's happened, I don't feel comfortable leaving my dog in the backyard and that's just frustrating." The Oakville and District Humane Society BARRIE ERSKINE / OAKVILLE BEAVER FILE PHOTO COYOTE SIGHTING: Coyotes, like this one, are becoming used to humans as new developments infringe on their natural habitats. has previously stated that sightings of ote's interest in an area. coyotes are becoming more common Some residents, however, do not as the species recovers from a mange believe coyotes should be accommooutbreak, which took place several dated in any way. years ago. "Deep down what I wish is that Currently, Bauer noted, the someone would get rid of them. Go humane society receives about one ahead and kill them all, I personally coyote sighting report each week don't care, or, if someone thinks with the sighing usually taking place that's wrong, then trap them all and in the areas of Bronte and Dundas, take them up north," said Cross. where there used to be a lot of green "I don't like that we can't even space. have our own pets in our own fencedSightings have also been reported in yards on their own. That's what in the vicinity of Sixteen Mile Creek. dogs do, they hang out in your backPeople with pets in those areas yard. Now I put my winter clothes on need to be aware the coyotes are and I go out into the backyard and I there and need to take precautions, stand there and I have to wait with said Bauer. her. I cannot let her be there alone "This time of year it's getting into after what's happened." breeding season, so the male and the Bauer said trapping coyotes or female are getting set to find their exterminating them are both impracden site to raise their young and they tical approaches towards tackling the are going to be more protective of coyote issue. their area," said Bauer. "People are "Trapping really does not resolve building so close to their environ- your issue because all you're doing is ment that those backyards mean opening up the area that more coynothing to that coyote. It's still their otes will come in and fill," said Bauer. area. A dog is the natural enemy to a "The biggest problem that people coyote, so as they are doing their don't seem to realize is that if we daily or nightly patrol they will be remove (i.e. shoot) one of the top checking out the area and, if they see predators of wildlife out there, all the anything that's perceived as a threat skunks, rabbits, raccoons, squirrels to them, they are going to try and that are invading everyone's territory protect their area." will triple because the coyote is Bauer said a coyote will not attack what's controlling that population." a dog of similar size. He believes the Bauer said the risk to humans from two that confronted the Dalmatian coyotes is negligible. Coyotes do not see may have been surprised and were the human child as a source of food, he unwilling to back down once con- said, but might lash out if a child tried fronted. to touch a very sick or injured one or if The owners of small dogs and cats a child cornered one and tried to touch have a bit more to worry about. it thinking it was a dog. "They're not going to be going While many have voiced concerns around looking through backyards about coyote behaviour in recent hunting for dogs, but if they come days, Bauer said the coyote has simacross an empty backyard with an ply adapted to the hand dealt to it by unattended small animal and they're humans. hungry enough, then of course they "Coyotes are not going to be are going to make an attempt to feed afraid of people waving their arms themselves," said Bauer. "We always and banging pots and pans. They're recommend cats stay inside, and living too close to humans for that that's not just because of coyotes. and they hear a lot of noise like that There are way too many predators all day long now," said Bauer. "In the out there that cause cats to have very good old days, yelling at a coyote short lives outside." would startle it and cause it to run Dawn and dusk are the key times away, but that was when they were when coyotes like to hunt, said Bauer. living in the wild and they don't find He recommends that dogs not be left that threatening anymore." outside unattended during those The Oakville and District Humane hours. He also advises people not to Society is keeping track of coyote leave food outside for their pets -- sightings and anyone who sees one this only gives the coyote reason to can call 905-845-1551. come around. The humane society should also Securing garbage and compost be called if a coyote appears sick or piles are other ways to reduce a coy- injured. Carpet Cleaning Specialists Since 1952 On The Spot! WALL TO WALL FURNITURE & UPHOLSTERY AREA RUGS PERSIAN & ORIENTAL Truck Mount In-Plant Service Water Damage Restoration RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL Drop-off Discount! 25% SOLID WOOD BEDROOM Canadian Made VOTED BEST CARPET & RUG CLEANERS 8 YEARS IN A ROW! FREE 250 ml SPOTTING BOTTLE www.onthespotcleaning.ca 1446 WALLACE RD., OAKVILLE, ON Bronte 905-825-4256 QEW Speers Wallace Classic Contemporary Styling to Fit your Decor FREE NIGHTSTAND! See Store For Details. 217 Lakeshore Road East Downtown Oakville Since 1953 MONTIGO-L38 "MASONRY & FIREPLACE DESIGN SPECIALISTS" www.swissinteriors.com 905.844.3530 406 SPEERS RD., OAKVILLE ACROSS FROM RONA LANSING 905-337-2066 w w w. c o b b l e s t o n e m b e r s . c a