Coyote attacks on the rise: Thornhill dog owners on high alert

Action demanded as canine companions fall prey to aggressive coyotes

Yorkregion.com
Sept. 5, 2023
Yoyo Yan

A wave of alarming coyote attacks has left residents on edge and demanding immediate action in the Yonge Street and Royal Orchard Boulevard area in the Markham side of Thornhill.

The most recent incident occurred on Inverlochy Blvd. at 9:30 a.m. Aug. 25, when a dog walker bent down to pick up after their pup, only to hear the distressing cry of their dog as a coyote sank its teeth into the canine's neck.

The incident, which took place with the dog on a leash directly next to its owner, has added urgency to the growing concern of coyote encounters in the area.

Residents report that the Markham-Vaughan border has seen an extreme increase in coyote sightings and encounters, leaving no dog owner immune to the potential dangers.

According to local residents, every dog owner in the area has had a dangerous encounter with a coyote. They witnessed their dogs being bitten, chased or even killed by these coyotes while following best practices for pet safety.

Cailin Prentice, a concerned resident and dog owner, expressed the community's frustration: "We are doing everything we are supposed to do - keeping our dogs close and on leash - yet these attacks keep happening. Something needs to be done to ensure the safety of everyone in this community, both human and animal."

Meanwhile, the City of Markham is planning to establish a pop-up off-leash dog park in close proximity to the coyotes' natural habitat. This program, however, has raised concerns among residents who believe that it may exacerbate the issue rather than mitigate it.

"This is not a smart decision,” said Prentice. “The city needs to take action.”

Local authorities are now faced with the challenging task of finding a balance between the preservation of wildlife and ensuring the safety of the community and their pets.

For now, dog owners in the area remain on high alert, emphasizing the need for immediate and effective action to protect their beloved pets from the brazen predators.