Coyotes | City of Oshawa

Report coyote and wildlife sightings

Please report all coyote and wildlife sightings to Service Oshawa by calling 905-436-3311 or emailing service@oshawa.ca

Coyote sightings are more frequent in the winter during mating periods (January - February), spring during den selection/pup rearing (March - June) and fall during the dispersal of pack members.

Coyote response

The health and safety of our community is our top priority. In response to the increased sightings and interactions with coyotes, the City has created a Coyote Response Management Plan, but needs your help in implementing it. Read on to learn your role in Oshawa’s coyote response.

City response

Our Council approved Coyote Response Management Plan supports a safe co-existence with urban coyotes using education, behaviour modification and the implementation of a tiered and escalated approach in response to human-coyote conflicts.

Review the City's Coyote Response Management Plan now.

The City of Oshawa hosted a virtual community information session on co-existing with coyotes that included presentations from:

Coyote Watch Canada (review the presentation);
the Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry (review the presentation); and,
City of Oshawa Municipal Law Enforcement (review the presentation).

Watch a recording of the information session on YouTube now!

Additionally, the City:

Coordinates site visits in common sighting areas with a Coyote Watch Canada Canid Response Team Representative. Coyote Watch Canada is a federal not-for-profit wildlife organization that provides educational programming, a first-response team, on-site field investigation, private, municipal- and provincial-level consultation and digital mapping programs.
Monitoring sighting locations and installing fencing and signage in common affected areas to discourage interactions. The community is asked to please respect the posted signage, to not approach wildlife, and to report coyote sightings to Service Oshawa
Reducing some naturalized areas in the neighbourhood park/locations of concern by cutting back tall grass.
Removing community garbage containers that are often used to dispose of household garbage and pet waste.
Responding to Coyote occurrences per the Council-approved Coyote Response Management Plan

Other City response tactics

Liaise with Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry, Coyote Watch Canada and Durham Regional Police Service
Ongoing dialogue with the Oshawa Animal Care Advisory Committee
Review data gathered through coyote sightings reported through Service Oshawa's tracking system
Continue door-to-door communications by Municipal Law Enforcement Officers

How you can help

The City needs your help to support a safe co-existence with urban coyotes.

Do not feed the coyotes, as per the Nuisance By-law

Feeding coyotes takes away their ingrained fear of humans, which is needed for humans and coyotes to safely co-exist and may lead to attacking small pets or unattended small children. Often, when aggressive coyotes are reported in a neighbourhood it is because someone in the area has fed them.

Community members can eliminate the food source by:

securing their garbage;
keeping people and pet food indoors; and,
cleaning up fallen fruit and spilled bird seed.

Learn other steps you can take to prevent coyotes or if you encounter a coyote:

How can I prevent coyotes from visiting my yard?

Keep your property clean - trim back bushes and weeds, scoop your dog poop and keep your barbeque area clean.
Secure your home and sheds - seal openings into and under buildings, decks and porches.
Consider the installation of motion sensor lights.
Be a good pet owner:
- Supervise pets when they are outdoors at all times
- Bring pets in at night
- Dogs must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet in length
- Retractable-type leashes are not recommended
Human indifference is not an appropriate response to a coyote getting comfortable around areas people frequent. Never allow a coyote to linger or bed down near your home or business. Print and follow the wildlife proofing tips

How do I report coyote sightings?

The City of Oshawa uses sighting reports to monitor common locations and determine if neighbourhood specific communications and prevention methods are required.

Community members are urged to report sightings to Service Oshawa by:

Online: Service Oshawa
Email: service@oshawa.ca
Telephone: 905-436-3311

By reporting wildlife sightings, you are helping the City to monitor common locations.

What do I do if I encounter a coyote?

If you feel your safety is imminently threatened, call 9-1-1.
Stop and pick up small children and pets.
Slowly back away, keeping an eye on the animal. Never run from or turn your back on a coyote.
Be big, loud and assertive! Yell, "Go away!"
Wave your arms above your head.
Use aversion techniques such as shaking car keys, snapping a large air-filled garbage bag, popping an umbrella and throwing an object in the direction of, but not directly at, the coyote.

Resources

City of Oshawa Coyote Response Management Plan
CORP-21-48 Coyotes in the City of Oshawa report
Free Coyotes in the Urban Landscape online module
Coyote Watch Canada information, including Frequently Asked Questions
Ministry of Natural Resources information