Police warning residents after ‘aggressive’ coyotes reported in Toronto neighbourhood

Police said no injuries were reported after “aggressive” coyotes were reportedly seen in a Toronto neighbourhood.

In a tweet Monday, Toronto police said officers received reports of two coyotes in the Guildwood Parkway and Livingston Road area.

Police said the coyotes were “aggressive and tried to attack someone.”

Officers said no injuries were reported, but added that Toronto Animal Services had been notified.

“Use caution in the area,” police wrote in the tweet.

A man named Mike told Global News he saw the coyotes in the area at around 10:45 a.m.

He said he heard some rustling in some leaves beside him, but thought it was just a squirrel.

“Next thing you know, these two things just come out,” he said. “Like right off the ground.”

Mike — who didn’t want to provide his last name — said the coyotes “leapt out” at him.

“I screamed, and I thought it was my lunch in my bag, because I made a really good lunch today,” he said.

Mike said threw his lunch bag at them, but they weren’t interested in it.

According to Mike, one coyote was female, the other male.

He said the coyotes “bared their teeth” at him, and approached with a “low growl.”

“And they both came from one side each,” he said. “One on the left – one on the right.”

Mike said the coyotes approached him twice, before leaving.

He said the incident has left him feeling “nervous.”

“I love animals,” he said. “I’d never put it to an animal, but, if she comes back, something’s up.”

In a statement emailed to Global News on Monday, Toronto Animal Services (TAS) said it received report of an “incident involving two coyotes in the Kingston Road and Guildwood area.”

“The city is investigating the report and will ensure signage is posted to warn residents that coyotes may be in the area,” the statement read. “Our team will be able to provide more information once details have been confirmed.”

TAS said “most interactions” with coyotes are the result of a nearby food source, “primarily intentional feeding by people.”

The service said in order to “minimize negative encounters with coyotes” people should never feed them or leave food – including pet food – outside.

TAS said people should also properly dispose of waste at home and at parks.

If you encounter a coyote, the advice is not to run, but to make noise to scare it away.

“Do not approach coyotes, their dens or their young,” TAS said. “Do not touch coyotes, even if they appear tame, sick or injured.”

TAS said coyotes “generally do not pose a danger to people” adding that biting humans is considered “abnormal behaviour.”

The service also offered tips to help people protect themselves if they encounter a coyote.

TAS said if you see one, you should not run and should avoid turning your back. Instead, the service said to maintain eye contact and slowly back away.

The service said to make yourself appear as “large, imposing or threatening” as possible.

“Be loud: Making loud sounds or noises can help to scare a coyote away,” TAS said.

Lastly, TAS said to “be assertive” and to “display behaviour to scare the coyote away.”