Conservationists euthanize coyote in response to attacks on children in Winnipeg
WINNIPEG — Conservation officers euthanized a coyote in response to recent attacks on children in the North Kildonan neighborhood of Winnipeg.
The province says the adult animal was located and removed from the area on Monday and sent for testing, and that conservation officials and the Manitoba Trappers Association continue to patrol the area for other aggressive wildlife.
The latest attack on Friday night involved a four-year-old child in the Headmaster Row area of North Kildonan, and the child has since been released from hospital.
It followed a coyote attack involving a nine-year-old boy on June 24, also in the North Kildonan area, where police said the child was out walking with his teenage sister.
Police said a local resident chased the coyote away and the boy was taken to the hospital in stable condition.
The county says that while coyote attacks are extremely rare, it advises people to take extra precautions, especially with young children and small pets.
It says people should keep a close eye on children, feed pets indoors, keep animals on leashes, and reduce attractants such as food waste on gardens such as fallen fruit, pet food, birdseed, and garbage.
People are also warned against feeding wildlife. The county says making food available to coyotes, either directly or indirectly by feeding prey such as birds and rabbits, can attract coyotes and other predators to an area.
If a coyote is seen, people are encouraged to make noise, do what they can to appear large, stay in a group, and not run, as that could provoke a chase.
This report from The Canadian Press was first published on July 4, 2023.
