'Don't want pets to end up as wildlife food': Coyotes in Timmins causing concern

A fourth-generation Timmins trapper has some advice on dealing with the coyotes being spotted in a residential area that are causing concern among residents.

Sylvia Kamalatisit shared a warning on social media Oct. 18 with photos of what appears to be two coyotes seen roaming in a vacant field around Acres Park, including Shirley Street, Lafleur Drive, Park Avenue and Acres Crescent.

Photos of what appears to be two coyotes seen roaming in a vacant field around Acres Park, including Shirley Street, Lafleur Drive, Park Avenue and Acres Crescent. Oct. 18/23 (Sylvia Kamalatisit)

"They do not scare easy and have tried to approach humans and dogs," Kamalatisit said in the post on a community group page that is getting a lot of attention.

She said she contacted the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, City of Timmins, and animal control, about the concern and no action was taken.

"I went on a wild goose chase in an attempt to have the issue dealt with, but to no avail. So, I thought I would post to warn others in the neighborhood to be careful," Kamalatisit said.

"Please keep a close eye on your children and pets in this area."

Mike Seabert, an MNRF acting managment biologist in Timmins, told CTV News in an online interview it is the municipality's responsibility to take action when wildlife encounters create ongoing conflict.

"They are becoming more common in northern Ontario so if you live near the bush, you will encounter coyote just like you see foxes and bears around," Seabert said.

"If there is an immediate threat to public safety, call 911."

EXPERT ADVICE

Kaileigh Russell has been involved with Timmins Fur Council for about eight years and was elected president of the group last month.

Her family has been trapping in the area since the 1920s and her grandfather, Bill, helped start the fur council in 1968 to support local trappers and help with wildlife management.

Several people in the comments of the post questioned whether the animals in the photos are coyotes or coy-wolves, a coyote-wolf mix.

Photos of what appears to be two coyotes seen roaming in a vacant field around Acres Park, including Shirley Street, Lafleur Drive, Park Avenue and Acres Crescent. Oct. 18/23 (Sylvia Kamalatisit)

"The Timmins Fur Council is aware of the sightings, but not directly involved in any work with these two animals at present," she told CTV News in a phone interview.

Russell said the animals in the photos do look like two coyotes and while they are not pack animals, it is normal to see juvenile coyotes pair up with siblings around this time of year before they disperse and leave the family unit.

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Wolves will observe humans and won't interact, while coyotes are bolder and more curious, especially the younger ones.

Photos of what appears to be two coyotes seen roaming in a vacant field around Acres Park, including Shirley Street, Lafleur Drive, Park Avenue and Acres Crescent. Oct. 18/23 (Sylvia Kamalatisit)

This is why Russell said it is important to discourage the animals from wanting to investigate humans and pets further and other nuisance behaviours.

"If they are just in the area, they may stick around for up to a week looking for a food source," she said.

"Predators will move on if there is no food."

Coyotes generally eat mice, rabbits and groundhogs, but Russell said they are opportunistic and can go after cats, dogs and small children left unattended.

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Remove food sources and do not feed wildlife, Russell said.

"It becomes part of their routine and they will stick around if they are being fed," she said.

To keep pets safe Seabert recommends:

• Do not leave small dogs or cats unattended
• Keep dogs and cats inside at night
• Keep your dog on a leash
• Clean up your dog's waste, coyotes are attracted to dog feces
• Do not leave pet food outside on a porch or deck.

She encourages people to bring a noisemaker out on walks and to not run if a coyote is encountered. 

Seabert adds bringing a flashlight on walks and to never turn your back on a coyote.

Here are some ways you can limit attractants around your property:

• Securing garbage containers and only put garbage out the morning of scheduled pickup
• Use enclosed composting bins instead of exposed piles
• Clear the bushes and dense weeds from your home where coyotes may find cover and small mammals.
• Use motion sensor lights
• Close off the spaces under porches, decks and sheds, coyotes can use those areas as a den.
• Fence your property with a two-metre high fence that extends at least 20 centimetres underground as coyotes might dig

Coyotes can carry several diseases including distemper, mange, lice and ticks.

Being nocturnal animals, they are most often seen at dawn, dusk and at night.

"If you do see them during the day, that is more concerning," Russell said.

She said anyone with questions or concerns can reach out to Timmins Fur Council and that a large part of what they do involves wildlife management and not necessarily eradication.