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www.insideHALTON.com · OAKVILLE BEAVER Friday, January 20, 2012 · 6 Opinion & Letters 467 Speers Rd., Oakville Ont. L6K 3S4 (905) 845-3824 Fax: 337-5571 Classified Advertising: 632-4440 Circulation: 845-9742 --Open 9-5 weekdays, 5-7 for calls only Wed. to Friday, Closed weekends Editorial and advertising content of the Oakville Beaver is protected by copyright. Unauthorized use is prohibited. The Oakville Beaver THE OAKVILLE BEAVER IS PROUD OFFICIAL MEDIA SPONSOR FOR: Canadian Circulation Audit Board Member THE OAKVILLE BEAVER IS PROUD OFFICIAL MEDIA SPONSOR FOR: Recognized for Excellence by Ontario Community Newspapers Association Suburban Newspapers of America Canadian Community Newspapers Association ATHENA Award Neil Oliver Vice ­ President and Group Publisher of Metroland West The OakvilleBeaver is a division of David Harvey Regional General Manager JILL DAVIS Editor in Chief Daniel Baird Advertising Director ANGELA BLACKBURN Managing Editor Riziero Vertolli Photography Director Sandy Pare Business Manager MARK DILLS Director of Production Manuel garcia Production Manager CHARLENE HALL Director of Distribution Sarah McSweeney Circ. Manager Hours after this editorial was written Thursday afternoon, Halton police shot a coyote. It allegedly bit an eight-year-old girl. A look at our letters to the editor today is proof, as always, there is more than one side to any story. The issue of coyotes living among us does not, in fact, require taking sides. What is required is common sense, informed and safety-minded behaviour. For many months now, The Oakville Beaver has been fielding calls and e-mails about coyote sightings. It was at first novel to see a coyote, a wild animal that typically shies away from people, walking along our neighbourhood streets or running around the track at the local high school (as Oakville Beaver photographer Eric Riehl captured last fall at St. Ignatius of Loyola). When a coyote was spotted in Heritage Way Park some time ago, near two elementary schools, concern flashed through the minds of many parents and school officials. When coyotes became a common sight and residents became worried, the Town of Oakville hosted a meeting offering information from the Ministry of Natural Resources. Residents carried on, carrying umbrellas and noisemakers if they were wary. Over the last two weeks, however, a trio of dogs were injured -- one in its own backyard. Two others, leashed as safety tips indicate, were attacked. Granted two dogs were in ravine or wooded trail areas and small enough to be considered potential prey. Perhaps those with small breeds may consider sidewalks or trails at a time of year when the coyotes are not particularly short of food or mating, as they are now said to be. To be commended is the Oakville & Milton Humane Society, which, while respecting local wildlife, is also keeping a close eye on active areas like northwest Oakville and even patrolling near schoolyards. And while a common sense, informed approach that considers safety factors is needed, it's important to keep an eye to changes in the scenario -- such as reports of coyotes hanging around porches, men being challenged and large dogs or groups of dogs who are out with their owners being followed or confronted. These instances may indicate that, despite warnings not to feed, try taming or otherwise attracting coyotes by eliminating their fear of humans, that is exactly what is happening. 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. Staying safe amid wildlife Letter to the editor COYOTE: A coyote spotted at Arbourview Drive and Golden Orchard Trail. Letters to the editor 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, 467 Speers Rd., Oakville, ON, L6K 3S4, or via e-mail to editor@oakvillebeaver.com. The Beaver reserves the right to refuse to publish a letter. Speaking for those who don't I understand the need to make the community aware of what is going on. However, there appears to be only one side voicing their stories. I am hoping to speak for the other. I am referring to what I imagine to be the larger number of people who have had close encounters with the coyotes that have been completely inconsequential. I live in West Oak Trails where I am always walking on the streets and trails. On many occasions, while walking my medium-sized dog we have crossed paths with the coyotes. She (my dog) voices our intentions with a bark and if that does not cause the coyotes to carry on their way, clapping my hands and giving out a yell has always worked. We do not get scared, panic or turn and run... the coyotes do that. The coyotes are not as interested in us as we seem to be in them. Please learn what we need to do rather than blaming them. They are just trying to survive in what we have turned into an unfriendly, unnatural environment for them. T. D. Shepherdson, Oakville By Steve Nease neasecartoons@gmail.com Pud Re: Second dog won his fight and Third dog lives through attack, Oakville Beaver, Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2011 I was walking my dog, a 90-lb. Labrador retriever, this morning (Wednesday) when I encountered a coyote in the ravine at the same area reported in your story today (Thursday). I turned around and headed back up the path but the coyote followed us. The coyote stopped at the sidewalk at the end of the path for a moment, then crossed the street and came right up to my porch at the corner of Arbourview and Golden Orchard. My dog lunged and the coyote backed off. We went inside the house, but a minute later the coyote was on the porch at my front door. More barking from my dog and the coyote left. Attached is a picture taking with my cellphone of the coyote crossing the street. Thanks for the information you have provided in your articles. Ray Maton, Oakville Coyote on their trail