A young child sustained severe injuries following an encounter with a coyote at a playground in Whitby, Ont., where multiple sightings have occurred recently, according to Durham police. The incident took place at Vanier Park on Sunday evening, where a two-year-old boy was attacked by the coyote before being rescued by his guardian and nearby bystanders. The child was bitten in the face and was subsequently taken to the hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.
Shortly after the playground incident, another coyote in distress was reported near Harriet and Annes streets, prompting police to respond. The animal was located, and no injuries were reported during its removal from the area.
Durham police are collaborating with the Town of Whitby, local animal services, and the Durham Region Health Department to investigate the incidents, monitor coyote activity, and mitigate the risk of future encounters. Authorities emphasized the rarity of aggressive behavior by coyotes towards humans but urged residents to remain vigilant, especially in areas like parks, playgrounds, and trails during peak coyote activity hours.
These incidents occurred following a previous incident where a child in Whitby was bitten by a coyote near a forested tree line. Police noted an increase in reported coyote incidents in the Durham Region and issued a public advisory cautioning pedestrians and pet owners to exercise care in public spaces.
According to the town’s online dashboard, there have been 96 coyote sightings in Whitby in the last month. Other regions, including communities around Toronto, have also experienced heightened coyote sightings. For instance, York police issued a warning after two children were attacked recently, while Toronto received complaints about increased coyote presence in the Liberty Village area, prompting the city to develop a new coyote management strategy.
To ensure safety from coyotes, police offered the following tips: maintain a safe distance if encountering a coyote, supervise children outdoors, adhere to guidance in areas with known coyote activity, avoid such areas when possible, eliminate food attractants, and remain calm, make noise, and back away slowly if encountering a coyote.
Residents were encouraged to promptly report any future coyote sightings to animal services to help monitor and address the situation effectively.