VIDEO: Coyote attack on Aurora toddler caught on surveillance video

Ministry of Natural resources confirms animal is coyote, is looking into incident further

Yorkregion.com
June 24, 2019
Teresa Latchford

The Ministry of Natural Resources has confirmed it was a coyote that bit an Aurora toddler in a residential area June 16.

Jane Smith, who asked her real name not be used to protect the identity of her family, and her two children were on their way home from dinner on the evening of June 16 when her son innocently ran in-between their house and the neighbour’s to check on a new tree sapling the family planted earlier in the day.

His three-year-old sister was along shortly, both of them within their parent’s sight from the front of the house.

Security footage sent to Yorkregion.com by Smith shows a coyote sniffing around the Leslie Street and St. John’s Sideroad area property only moments before, and standing still at the fence line as the children approached the backyard.

It didn’t move to strike the older child, but as the younger child came running, it sprinted at her and attempted to grab her by the stomach with its teeth.

"We came screaming and making all kinds of noise as we ran to her," Smith said. "She cried. I have images of the coyote on our driveway previous to this."

The toddler suffered minor injuries due to the incident -- a 5 cm surface scratch. She was examined at Southlake Regional Health Centre and Hospital for Sick Children.

Smith said her children are very frightened and still ask to hold her hand when going outside.

"We are looking into ways to keep it away, including getting a new fence built as soon as possible," Smith said.

She sent the security video to both the Town of Aurora and the Ministry of Natural Resources.

Two days prior to the incident, the Town of Aurora put out a public service announcement advising residents of an increased number of coyotes sightings in town and to exercise caution.

The MNR confirmed it is looking into the matter and will follow up with Yorkregion.com once more information is available.

Video footage can be found here: https://youtu.be/gFpUkhi7kMQ

Should you encounter a coyote, the Town of Aurora offered residents several tips:

Make your environment less attractive for coyotes:

• Never feed coyotes or other wildlife.

• Pick up your garbage. Garbage and litter attract wildlife.

• Use motion sensor lights around your property.

What to do if you encounter a coyote:

• Keep your distance and the animal will most likely avoid you.

• Never approach or touch a wild animal.

• Do not turn your back or run.

• Back away while remaining calm.

• Stand tall, wave your hands, and make lots of noise.

• Carry a flashlight at night.

• If the coyote poses an immediate threat or danger to public safety, call 911.