Murray Wood: Who's scary... and who's scary good?
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It was a startling incident on Friday morning for a woman walking her dog in Lawson Heights as she was confronted by multiple coyotes.
According to the Saskatoon Police Service (SPS), the incident by Whiteswan Drive and Pinehouse Drive beside Meewasin Park was reported shortly before 8:30 a.m. on Oct. 4.
“One of the coyotes became aggressive towards the dog but did not cause serious injury. Our officers attended the area with conservation officers and located one of the coyotes believed to be involved,” police said in a statement.
The coyote was shot by an SPS officer with a service issued firearm, and its remains were taken into the custody of conservation officers to be tested.
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Randy Donauer, Ward 5 city councillor, says coyotes in the area have been an issue throughout the spring and summer.
Donauer said he’s talked to residents who say coyotes are following people or going after dogs.
“I had one lady say she needed to get bear spray to keep a coyote away from her,” he said. “Another lady had to hide in a garage until the coyote went away.”
Last week, Donauer said a woman reached out to him saying a coyote had approached her husband at Meewasin Park and he had to scare it off.
Donauer suggests the current bylaws and policies of putting up signs and culling are not working, noting it’s been “a little frustrating.”
He said that the city lacks a bylaw prohibiting the feeding of wildlife, which he believes contributes to the problem. Additionally, there is no specific bylaw addressing aggressive wildlife.
Donauer said he’s brought the issue to city council several times throughout the year, and suggests new bylaws such as removing, trapping, or relocating coyote dens could address issues with the animals.
“People should not be afraid to walk on the Meewasin Valley park or the paths in their neighborhood.”
A coyote notice at the Sutherland Dog Park in Saskatoon. (Lara Fominoff/650 CKOM)
Be aware of your surroundings and wildlife
Renny Grilz, resource management officer with Meewasin Valley Authority, said coyote populations have increased throughout the city in recent years.
Grilz believes this is due to the animals’ growing adaptation to the urban environment as they use habitats along the river and in city parks.
One of the challenges with coyotes during this time of year is they will eat berries and crab apples in backyards, and have adapted to foraging in these areas, he said.
Grilz said people feeding coyotes is not necessarily a cause of the increase in population but can contribute to it.
He advises pet owners walking in the city’s natural areas to keep their animals on a leash and close by, and to avoid startling wildlife.
Grilz stressed that it’s important for wildlife to be aware of the presence of people without feeling threatened.
“Be aware of your surroundings, and be aware of wildlife.”
— with files from 650 CKOM’s Shane Clausing
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