Toronto residents scared and angry after dogs attacked by coyotes – Toronto

Daniel Noble and his dog were out for what should have been a relaxing Sunday stroll through a Toronto park. Instead, he says, that sense of calm was shattered when he and his pup were attacked by a pack of coyotes.

It happened in Princess Margaret Park, near Kipling Avenue and Rathburn Road, at around 10:30 a.m.

Noble says he and his dog were chased by as many as eight coyotes in a wooded area of ​​the park.

“Fifteen feet from the exit, all of a sudden, six or so more coyotes came out, grabbed my dog ​​and started attacking him, trying to drag him into the woods,” he said. “I literally thought I was watching my dog ​​get killed in front of me.”

Noble’s neighbours heard his desperate cries for help and rushed to his aid. Many residents say the current situation is out of control and requires a serious response from the City of Toronto.

A city spokesperson responded Wednesday by saying, in part, “The City of Toronto is aware of recent coyote attacks on dogs in Princess Margaret Park and is investigating.” Signs are being posted at the location, though the most noticeable signs were handwritten by residents.

Caution tape has also been placed at some forest access points and dog owners have been reminded to keep their pets on a leash. The statement added that staff will continue to address the issue through “education and community support”.

That’s small comfort to Noble and his neighbors, who say the pack attacks 80-pound dogs without fear or restraint. They add that there’s a daycare center near the park.

As for Henry, Noble says his dog was on a leash and they had no food on them at the time.

While investigating this story, a Global News camera captured city workers going door to door handing out informational flyers about coyotes, what attracts them and how to respond if you encounter one up close.

Toronto Animal Services workers were also observed walking along the edge of the park’s wooded area while holding what appeared to be a stuffed animal that resembled a dog.

While this type of coyote behavior is not unheard of, it is rare for such large groups to gather, said Dennis Murray, head of Canada’s Integrative Wildlife Conservation Research.

“If I could confirm that there was a group of animals that had attacked a dog, I would hire a trapper or a group of trappers to remove those animals from that location,” he told Global News during an interview. “There’s very little you can do to rehabilitate those animals once they start to see that dogs are a threat, or that they see dogs as food.”

Meanwhile, Daniel Noble’s dog is recovering as he and his neighbors continue to send out urgent calls for help.

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