Dog owner stood her ground against coyote Continued from page 1 7 · Wednesday, January 18, 2012 OAKVILLE BEAVER · www.insideHALTON.com Trails Park, near the Garth Webb Secondary School site -- the high school being built in northwest Oakville -- about 6:30 p.m. Monday when a coyote came up behind her and bit her dog on its back left side, causing Angel to yelp. "I didn't even know it was behind us until she let out this loud sound," said Blais, at which point she turned around to face the coyote, which was merely a few feet away from her. "My instinct told me to unhook the leash from Angel and let her run away and I stood between her and the coyote." The coyote tried to move past Blais, she said, but she began shouting at it and banging a stick on the ground to make loud noise -- causing the neighbours whose backyards face the ravine to come outside and ask her if she needed help. "It didn't attack me," said Blais. "Eventually, it just turned around and walked away." Blais said while the neighbours called the Oakville & Milton Humane Society to alert it of the incident, she tried looking for her dog. After nearly 30 minutes, Blais called her husband and learned Angel was at their Brookhaven Crescent home. Blais took her dog to the Mississauga Oakville Veterinary Emergency Hospital at Winston Churchill Boulevard and Bristol Circle for treatment and x-rays, which showed two broken ribs -- the terrier also had three small bite wounds. While on her walk, Angel was wearing a jogging suit made for dogs, which had a bloodstain on the back left side where she was bit -- oddly enough the material did not have a hole. "I don't know how it happened, but I think maybe the suit protected her a bit," Blais said. The dog is currently on antibiotics and painkillers -- the veterinarian told Blais it should be about eight weeks before Angel fully recovers. The incident wasn't Blais's first encounter with a coyote; she said she saw one last month while jogging in the Bronte Road and Westoak Trails Boulevard area. An avid lover of the outdoors, Blais said she walks, jogs, and bikes outside, but said her neighbours won't be seeing her or her dog out for awhile. "No more walks outside for Angel... it's too risky," she said. "I'm leaving my dog inside and I will try and find something that makes a lot of noise to keep with me when I go back on my walks -- I can't stay inside forever." SUBMITTED PHOTO INJURED: Angel was injured by a coyote Monday while out on a walk with her owner. With the recent increased coyote sightings in Oakville, the Town will host an information night to provide residents with facts about these animals on Tuesday, Jan. 31. The meeting will run 7-9 p.m. at St. Volodymyr Cultural Centre, 1280 Dundas St. W. The Town is reminding residents coyotes are a common sight in Oakville's ravines and parklands and are present all year. Increased sightings could result because: · Coyotes can be spotted easily in the winter months as there is less foliage to hide behind. · Coyotes feel more comfortable roaming in residential neighbourhoods in the winter as there are fewer people outside. · Coyotes mate in January and February, which means they are more active. The information session is meant to give residents a better understanding of how to co-exist with coyotes, with facts about them, ways to Town meeting is Jan. 31 critically evaluate wildlife news stories and offer steps to ensure a peaceful coexistence with local wildlife. Generally, coyotes are shy and avoid human interaction. They exist in urban areas because of the abundance of food and shelter. The Town reminds people to keep these tips in mind: · Never feed a coyote. Feeding encourages more aggressive behaviour. · Do not approach a coyote as it will encourage them to return. · If you encounter a coyote, make noise and act aggressively towards it. Do not run away or turn your back on them. A coyote is hardwired to run from aggressive actions. While they may stop and observe, they will eventually run. · While walking pets keep them leashed for safety. Cats should not be left outdoors alone. For more information, visit www.oakville.ca. s super uper b bowl ow l w weekend eekend s special pecial Large Lasagna (Serves 6-9 people) $22 $50 Extra Large Lasagna (Serves 20-24 people) Dundas Rd Trafalgar Chicken or Veal Parmigiana $4 per piece St E r lD *Valid February 4th and 5th only. Pick up only. All taxes extra. See store for details. 403 Rd E nc Pri Uppe i eM ch ae 2501 Pr ince Michael Dr (at Dundas St.) (905) 257-9200 Hours: Monday to Fr iday 9 am - 7 pm, Saturday 9 am - 6 pm , Sunday 10 am - 4 pm r Middle www.palmapasta.com