The City of Brantford is urging people to be cautious as more coyote sightings are being reported.
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In a public notice issued on Friday, the city said people are seeing coyotes in the city both in the daytime and evening.
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“Given the natural settings we are fortunate to enjoy in our community, coyotes are not uncommon to various parts of Brantford,” said the notice. “However, the close proximity of residential properties to these natural settings sometimes results in wildlife venturing into residential areas and raising safety concerns among residents.”
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry has guidelines with safety tips and preventative measures that residents should adhere to if and when coyotes are sighted in urban areas, said the notice.
According to the guidelines, if you encounter a coyote, keep your distance and the animal will most likely avoid you.
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If you encounter an aggressive coyote, this is recommended:
- Never approach or touch a coyote.
- Don’t turn your back on or run from a coyote.
- Back away from the animal while remaining calm.
- Stand tall, wave your hands and make lots of noise.
- Carry a flashlight at night to scare off coyotes.
- If a coyote poses an immediate threat or danger to public safety, call 911. Don’t call only if you see a coyote.
If there is an animal in distress, contact Hillside Kennels at 519-469-3247 or 1-888-469-3247.
If you see a coyote within the City of Brantford, report it online at Brantford.ca/Coyotes. This data is being shared with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry for tracking purposes.
Residents should secure garbage containers with locking lids or in an enclosed structure and wait until 7 am to put out their garbage for collection.
To keep pets safe, keep cats indoors and don’t leave small dogs outside unsupervised or let dogs out of your yard without a leash.
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