(KINCARDINE, ON) – The South Bruce Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) has received a number of reports of coyote sightings in the town of Kincardine. On November 19, 2013 at 4:31 pm, South Bruce OPP officers responded to a coyote encounter on Pearce Lane in Kincardine that resulted in the death of a small dog.
Coyotes are intelligent, adaptable and opportunistic feeders that consume a variety of foods. Coyote populations normally fluctuate in response to the abundance or scarcity of food. They prefer to avoid encounters with people.
In order to prevent encounters with coyotes:
Eliminate potential food sources – keep pet food indoors, store garbage in secure containers (preferably inside a locked structure), use enclosed composting bins, pick ripe fruit from trees and collect fruit from the ground, protect gardens with heavy duty fences
Clear dense bushes that a coyote could take shelter in
Use motion sensor lights
Close off spaces under porches, decks, sheds. Anywhere that could be used as a den
If you encounter a coyote:
Don’t turn your back or run
Remain calm and back away slowly
Stand tall, wave your hands and make noise
Anyone interested in more information on Coyotes can visit the Ministry of Natural Resources website at http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/.