Orléans residents increasingly concerned after teen attacked by coyotes

Residents of Orléans are urging the city to be more proactive in dealing with a coyote problem after a recent attack on a teenager.

Some residents in Orléans are urging the city to be more proactive about how it deals with a coyote situation in the area, after a 14-year-old boy was recently attacked.

Some residents say they have had their own encounters with the animals, but this recent escalation is a concern for them.

• Mother describes brazen coyote attack in Orléans park that injured 14-year-old son

Don Missen says he sees coyotes in his neighbourhood at all times of the day. Just recently he had to use a blowhorn to keep one away from a woman and her dog on a nearby path.

“My wife ran back got an air horn and gave it a beep from (our house),” he said. “Even where we live, which is about 100 yards from it. The coyote, you could see it lift his head and finally took off.”

With more recent encounters, Missen says he’d like to see changes.

“I appreciate the coyotes have to have a place to live,” he said.

“There’s so much construction lying around, but I think humanely, they could be removed from the area because there’s so many schools around. There are kids out and about all over the place here.”

On Thursday, CTV News Ottawa reported that a 14-year-old boy was attacked by three coyotes and left with injuries to his left leg.

In recent weeks, the city has posted “No Entry” warning signs near the den at the Lalonde Conservation Area.

Resident Patrick Roland says he’d like to see more of a balance.

“More proactive, so what we had in the beginning, there was police tape out, kind of boarding off these small paths,” he said.

“If we know that there is still the chance, we should probably put up at least barriers to impede people from trying to cross these paths.”

Genevieve Mollema, vice president of the Greater Avalon Community Association, says when the coyotes were first spotted weeks ago, the city told her to expect them to move on at the end of June.

She says with more construction in the area, there is a greater chance to find coyotes in parks like this.

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“If you remove the wildlife habitat, then we have more wildlife in the city,” she said.

Residents are mixed about the situation. Mark Reid says that removing the coyotes could mean more move in.

“I think you just have more coming in because in the surrounding areas, there’s all kinds of coyotes.”

The City of Ottawa says it has been working with the local councillor, residents and Coyote Watch Canada to implement measures that include installing signage, pathway closures, public education and increased by-law patrols.

“Relocation of coyotes is not permitted under provincial legislation. Given the escalation in behaviour and associated public safety risk, staff are now exploring next steps,” said Nick Stow, natural systems program manager for the City of Ottawa.

“Staff will continue to follow the City’s risk-based escalation approach to wildlife management in alignment with the Council-approved Wildlife Management Strategy and comes after extensive prevention and mitigation efforts over the past two months.”

Residents are being asked to avoid wooded areas, particularly after dark.

The city says residents should take the following precautions when encountering aggressive wildlife:

• Never approach or attempt to touch the animal
• Do not turn your back or run from the animal
• Back away slowly while remaining calm
• Stand tall, wave your arms, and make loud noises
• Carry a flashlight when walking at night

General coyote sightings should be reported to 311 so the city can track when and where coyotes are being seen.

Residents should call 911 if an animal poses an immediate threat to public safety.