Frequently Asked Questions

• What should I do if I see a coyote?

  Don’t be alarmed if you see a coyote. Like all other urban wildlife, they are looking for food, water, and shelter. If the coyote approaches you or is in an area that you are not comfortable with (your backyard, a busy park, etc.), consider aversion conditioning (human hazing) to scare it away.

  Please report coyote sightings using the Town’s online coyote sighting form at: Coyote Sighting Form | Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake (notl.com).

  The data collected through this form is used to assist Staff in tracking the general location of potential coyote sightings and any potential uptick in coyote presence in the Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake. Town Staff will engage the proper wildlife authorities if necessary.

• Does the Town have a plan to manage coyotes?

  Yes. On April 24, 2022, Town Council approved a Canid Management Plan.

  The Canid Management Plan seeks to minimize encounters and conflicts between canids (e.g., coyotes and foxes), people and pets. The Canid Management Plan is based on scientific research, understanding of canid ecology and biology in an urban setting and the best-known management practices and management tools. Safety is a priority in managing human-canid interactions.

  More information can be found at the following link: Canid Management Plan - Town of NOTL.pdf

• What do I do if a coyote is aggressively approaching me or my pet? Are my pets in danger in our own backyard?

  When going out into your backyard with your dog at night, it is important to turn your outdoor lights on. You can also consider using a headlamp if you have one to allow for your hands to be free in case you are approached. Remember to have your flashlight ready, and ensure there are no attractants nearby (i.e. potential food for coyotes). To help prevent coyotes from coming onto your property, remove all bird feeders in the area.

  If you have had coyote sightings in your backyard, please fill out a Coyote Sighting Report form on the Town’s website. Depending on the situation, wildlife experts may request a site visit. They will then do an assessment of the property and provide advice.

• What is Aversion Conditioning or Humane Hazing?

  Aversion conditioning (humane hazing) is a method of negative association. When a coyote (or another canid) is in an area where we don’t want it (like a backyard or park), scaring it away will make it less likely to return. By consistently doing this, they will be more likely to avoid that location in the future.

  Humane hazing can include making loud noises (yelling, not screaming), waving arms, popping open an umbrella, shaking car keys, throwing objects near, but not at, the animal, and snapping a large garbage bag filled with air. Hazing is only effective in the long-term if it is coupled with food removal and the other cornerstone components for coexistence (investigation, education, prevention, and enforcement). Coyotes should only be hazed if they are inappropriately encroaching on property or showing an increased proximity tolerance towards people.

• Does removing food sources really stop coyotes from hanging around human areas?

  It is common to see coyotes pass through human areas. However, removing active food sources is an effective way to keep them at an ideal distance from humans. Providing food sources – either intentionally or unintentionally – will attract coyotes and make them more comfortable around people. Coyotes will remain in urban areas, just as many other species of wildlife have; however, ensuring they don’t get handouts will help keep coyotes and other wildlife to stay away from people. This approach should be combined with other efforts such as education, investigation and enforcement.

• The tactics we’ve been advised of by the Town such as using an umbrella or whistle or yelling, clapping, and making loud noises have been ineffective and residents are scared by the behaviour of coyotes. Why are the coyote(s) not fearful of people?

  According to Coyote Watch Canada, the recent coyote encounters in Niagara-on-the-Lake demonstrate that the aversion conditioning (humane hazing) techniques are working, as the coyote(s) turns around and flees when a firm voice is used. It is important to practice deterrent techniques such as opening and closing an umbrella and using a firm voice (e.g., loud, outdoor voice) as it shows the coyote that you are being assertive.  

• Why aren’t we trapping the coyote? If I feel threatened by a coyote, can I trap it on my own property?

  The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry states that there are provisions under the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act that would allow a property owner to deal with problem wildlife under certain circumstances.

  Generally, landowners or their agents may capture, or kill problem wildlife to prevent damage to their property and considerations, in this case, include usually targeting the specific animals that are causing damage through learned behaviour. If you are capturing wildlife but you don't intend to kill it within 24 hours, you must release that wildlife within proximity of 1 kilometer of the capture site and similar habitats. It if is injured, you can deliver it to an authorized rehab facility.

  In regards to relocating coyotes, it is not the most viable option. If you remove a coyote, it is likely to come back or be replaced by new animals seeking out food or habitats. Often, trapping coyotes won't necessarily solve the problem and they will return to an area if they have been food conditioned to it.  

• Can we relocate coyotes?

  Though we sometimes may see the Town as separate from nature, it has a thriving ecosystem that includes not only ravines and parks but streets, backyards, industrial parks, and construction sites. Relocating (or killing) coyotes is not recommended, difficult to accomplish and only a ‘band-aid’ solution. Trapping a coyote, with the intention of euthanizing does not address the inherent issues in a community that create conflict such as feeding, improper garbage disposal, and dogs off-leash. Removing a coyote opens up the landscape for another coyote or two to move in filling nature’s vacancy. Much like birds, squirrels, raccoons and other animals, they have found a permanent home in urban areas.

  Coyotes are beneficial to the eco-system as well; they are Mother Nature’s cleanup crew and help keep populations of rodents under control. Relocation is a problem as well since wherever the coyote is relocated may already have an established coyote(s) in the area, and territoriality can make survival very unlikely. Attempting to remove one coyote from an area can also separate a family unit, which can lead to a lack of critical education for young pups (as both male and female coyotes raise their pups together) and sadly even starvation.

• What is the role of the Lincoln County Humane Society? What are they doing to address the coyote concerns?

  Lincoln County Humane Society’s (LCHS) role in the community is to provide animal control and humane services for the Town.

  For example, if there's a complaint of a dog running at large, a licensing issue, somebody not cleaning up after their animal, a stray cat or an injured animal (domestic or wildlife), the LCHS will respond. LCHS also responds to complaints about coyotes to provide education to residents and acts as a By-law Enforcement Agency as needed, along with Town By-law Staff.

• Are authorities approaching residents who are still feeding coyotes?

  Yes. Town Enforcement Officers approach residents who are feeding coyotes to educate them on why it is important to not feed coyotes. LCHS supports the Town by providing additional support as needed.

  During the Virtual Coyote Information Session, LCHS advised that officers have been approaching residents who have their garage doors open, leave garbage out, feed wildlife, etc. to educate residents how to prevent coyotes from coming on or near their property.

• In what circumstances will the Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS) respond to coyotes?

  NRPS responds to coyote incidents when an individual feels they are in danger. If anybody feels like they are in danger due to a coyote encounter, they can call 9-1-1. If an animal is hit by a car and injured, or a resident believes that an animal is rabid, residents can call the non-emergency NRPS phone number for assistance at 905-688-4111.

• What are my legal rights in protecting myself or my pets if a coyote is attacking?

  The Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry states that there are provisions under the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act that would allow a property owner to deal with problem wildlife under certain circumstances. Generally, landowners or their agents may capture, kill or harass problem wildlife to prevent damage to their property and considerations, in this case, include usually targeting the specific animals that are causing damage through learned behaviour.

  If a coyote possesses an immediate threat or danger to public safety, the public is advised to contact 911 immediately. For more information about the protection of your property, please visit  www.ontario.ca/page/ministry-northern-development-mines-natural-resources-forestry. 

• What if you are 80 years old and walking your dog when a coyote approaches? How is an 80-year-old expected to respond?

  Coyote Watch Canada has reported older individuals who have used the bag method (i.e. snapping a large garbage bag filled with air) successfully and encourages other individuals to do the same. In addition, if an individual is not comfortable taking their dog out for a walk by themselves, they could try a buddy system or walking group to help them feel safe when walking in the community. 

• What is the point where coexistence becomes a threat to the residents of a town? What is a reasonable cause to consider extermination of this coyote?

  According to Coyote Watch Canada, coexistence is about setting appropriate, healthy and safe boundaries between people, pets and wildlife.

  Extermination of a specific coyote is not going to solve the inherent issues. First, the feeding of these coyotes, whether it be directly or indirectly, needs to stop. By removing the attractants, a long-term sustainable solution has been developed to prevent coyotes from returning to the community. However, coyote presence is to continuously be expected over time as this is their habitat. 

• Why are coyotes coming into suburban areas? Why are the coyotes coming out during the day?

  Coyotes have always been a part of the interior landscape, including our urban areas. For many decades, coyotes have adapted very well to urban environments and they can now be found in both rural and urban settings, making it common to see coyotes in dense areas. Coyotes are usually quite wary of humans and they tend to avoid people wherever possible. 

  Coyotes coming into suburban areas, in most cases, is a result of food conditioning. This conditioning is a process in which the coyotes lose their fear of humans after repeated access to human food sources, causing them to become more comfortable in these settings.

  Some coyotes may become bolder, which can include them coming out during daylight more often, as opposed to being nocturnal and then exhibiting reduced fear of people.

  Coyotes, like other wildlife, want to save energy, so this quick access to food (i.e., bird feeders) is easy, less work and less risk. It is important to set boundaries with the coyotes and make human food sources inaccessible to them.

• What more can be done? For example, can the Towncreate additional By-laws against feeding wildlife, By-laws for proper garbage and recycling storage, enforcing usage of green bins, etc.?

  The Town has an Animal Care and Control By-law related to wildlife feeding. The language related to wildlife feeding was strengthened and approved by Council on April 25, 2022.

  The Town and the Lincoln County Humane Society educate first and then enforce By-laws if people are found feeding wildlife or domestic animals or leaving food out for animals outside that may attract coyotes and other wildlife.

  In addition, the Niagara Region has a By-law indicating the time that garbage, recycling and organics should be placed at the curb (after 5:00 p.m. the day before pick up).

  The Town has been encouraging residents to put waste out the day of to deter coyotes from seeking and pulling garbage out. Keeping garage doors closed and putting out the garbage on the day of pickup are both helpful in coyote prevention. 

• I have never seen coyotes this brazen. It’s getting more serious. When are we going to take more serious action before someone gets seriously hurt?

  The Town and its community partners take these coyote encounters very seriously. The Niagara-on-the-Lake community has had these types of escalations over the years, indicating that the garbage handling, how properties are managed, and people directly feeding them have been contributing factors to their presence. Feeding wildlife, such as undomesticated cats, chipmunks, squirrels and birds, attracts coyotes to the area, as these are potential food sources for coyotes. The coyote(s) has now created a pattern by getting rewarded with the food they have found in the community, learning that it gets refilled/restocked by humans.

  In addition to not feeding wildlife, is important to ‘scoop your poop’ when out for a walk so coyotes cannot pick up that scent, not put brush piles over fence lines as it creates easy access for coyotes to get over fences, and store compost properly to prevent coyotes from coming on or near your property.

• How do we walk safely in our communities when there is a threat of coyotes?

  Here are some tips to safely walk in your community when coyotes have been seen in the area:

  • Please remember to use a short leash when walking your dog as opposed to using a long leash
  • Use a buddy system if you feel unsafe or start a walking group
  • Use the umbrella technique
  • Avoid going for walks during times you know the coyote(s) to be present
  • If you see a coyote when out on a walk with your dog, pick up your small dogs and bring larger dogs close to you while maintaining eye contact with the coyote
    • Do not scream
    • Do not turn your back 
    • Do not run
    • Be assertive, use your voice, and stand your ground