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Recommendation:
Approve the Coyote Response Strategy, attached as Appendix “A”, “B” and “C” to
planning and building department report PB-90-15.
Purpose:
The purpose of this report is to report back to the Development and Infrastructure
Committee with a Coyote Response Strategy with an escalation process that will
become part of the policies and procedures of the Animal Control Procedures Manual.
Background:
At the September 14, 2015 Development and Infrastructure Committee meeting, PB-62-
15, a report providing options regarding the feasibility of creating a by-law prohibiting
the feeding of wildlife was approved with an amendment in reference to Trumpeter
Swans. Staff was directed to report back to the Development and Infrastructure
Committee meeting with a more detailed Coyote Response Strategy for Committee to
approve as a guideline for staff to use when dealing with problem coyotes.
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Strategy/Process
The goal of a Coyote Response Strategy is to support coexistence with urban coyotes
using education, behaviour modification and development of a tiered response to
aggressive coyote behavior. The tiered response requires active participation on the
part of the entire community including residents, homeowners, volunteers, Ministry of
Natural Resources and Forestry, Halton Regional Police Services and city staff.
Most communities in Ontario follow the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry
(MNRF) guidelines on preventing and managing conflict with coyotes. These guidelines
include what to do if you encounter a coyote, how to make your property unwelcome
and how to prevent conflict with dogs. Tiered response strategies are more common in
the United States with municipalities providing guidance for appropriate levels of
response to varying types of coyote activity and/or interactions.
The Humane Society of the United States has developed a coyote management and
coexistence plan that has been prepared for use by communities across North America,
(including, but not limited to, cities, villages, towns, counties, homeowners associations,
etc.) in humanely and effectively preventing and solving conflicts among coyotes,
people and companion animals. The information in these plans has been gathered from
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scientific and peer-reviewed articles, from experts in the field of human-coyote conflict
resolution, and from successful coyote management plans across North America.
The goal of the template coyote management and coexistence plan is to provide a
program for reducing human-coyote conflicts while prioritizing human safety. The
actions outlined in this plan are designed to increase citizens’ knowledge and
understanding of how coyotes behave and make clear how such behavior can be
managed to reduce or eliminate conflicts with coyotes. Staff have modified and
amended the strategy to fit the needs of the City of Burlington. The following are two
types of coyote interactions and responses that make up part of the Coyote Response
Strategy and attached as “Appendix “A”, “B” and “C” of report PB-90-15;
Coyote heard; scat or prints Observation Distribute educational materials and information on
seen normal coyote behavior.
Coyote entering yard with Encounter Gather information on specific animals involved and
people and pets, no pet attack report circumstances. Education coyote attractants and
occurring pet management provide hazing information and yard
audit.
Financial Matters:
Coyotes are intelligent animals and are difficult to catch. Even a skilled trapper will need
many hours to catch a targeted coyote, thus the cost would increase with the time spent
to trap the coyote. Costs could range from $200.00 to $10,000.00 especially if the trap
is to be monitored 24 hours a day. (Trap would have to be monitored if it is located on
public property).
Environmental Matters:
Coyotes play an important ecological role in maintaining diversity of species and the
health and integrity of a variety of ecosystems. Coyotes can have a top-down effect on
ecosystems by regulating the numbers of other animals, such as foxes, raccoons,
skunks, and feral cats through competitive exclusion and direct killing. Coyote
management plans hope to achieve a balance between the importance of human safety
and the role coyotes play in our local ecosystems.
Conclusion:
This report presents a Coyote Response Strategy providing a tiered response for all
interactions with coyotes, up to and including a confirmed attack on a human. Staff
recommends approval of the strategy, attached as Appendix “A”, “B” and “C” to report
PB-90-15.
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Respectfully submitted,
Appendices:
a. Coyote Response Strategy
b. Coyote Incident Report Form
c. Coyote Yard Audit Checklist
Approved by:
Nancy Shea Nicol, Director of Legal Services & City Solicitor
Scott Stewart, General Manager of Dev. and Infrastructure
James Ridge, City Manager
Reviewed by: