Coyotes

Coyote sightings or encounters can be reported by contacting 311.
Report a Coyote

 

Download a printable factsheet on coyotes in your park and neighbourhood.

 

Coyotes generally do not pose a danger to people, but can pose a danger for pets. They are active during the day and at night, particularly dusk and dawn, and help to control rodent and rabbit populations. Coyotes thrive in urban areas because of the abundance of food and shelter available. They do not hibernate and may be seen more often during winter months as they are not hidden by foliage. Coyotes will eat whatever food is available such as small mammals and birds, and improperly stored garbage.

Key things you can do to help coyotes maintain healthy boundaries from humans:
  • Never feed coyotes.
  • Do not approach coyotes, their dens, or their young.
  • Never touch a coyote, even if it appears tame, sick, or injured.
  • Keep your dog on a leash at all times.
  • If you see a coyote, do not run. Instead, make noise to scare it away.
  • Always dispose of garbage properly and do not leave trash outside of bins. Remove all waste before leaving parks.

Coyotes in Downtown Toronto

Coyotes have lived in the downtown area for many years. However, conflicts have increased recently due to several factors, including an increase in the number of construction and redevelopment projects, increased density, decreasing green space, direct and indirect feeding, and off-leash dogs. 

The City has procured a third-party panel of wildlife experts with extensive field-based expertise to provide a comprehensive review of the City’s response to coyote incidents downtown. Their focus was on incidents that occurred in the Fort York and Liberty Village area between November 2024 to March 2025. The panel noted that:  

  • Coyotes in Fort York and Liberty Village are exhibiting food-conditioned behaviour, which means they have learned to associate humans with food.
  • These coyotes are being accidentally and intentionally fed via improperly disposed household waste, human food provided to wildlife, litter and food being made available at encampments, along rail lines, and at construction sites.
  • Additionally, the defensive behaviour exhibited by coyotes towards dogs that get too close aligns with expected territorial behaviour during mating season and competition for food.
  • The coyote behaviour in downtown Toronto is explainable, not unique, and can be resolved with collective effort.
  • The panel concluded that the City’s response and actions to date align with best practices and research from other North American cities, with some limitations due to resources and staffing.
  • The panel recommended that non-lethal aversion and hazing techniques should remain the core strategy.

The City is currently engaged in multiple actions to help residents safely coexist with coyotes in the Fort York and Liberty Village areas. Some short-term and long-term actions were approved by the Economic and Community Development Committee on February 26. City staff are currently reviewing the recommendations from the wildlife expert panel and will develop a Downtown Coyote Action Plan for review later this year. An interim report will be provided to the Economic and Community Development Committee on May 6, 2025. 

City of Toronto Coyote Strategy

The overall Coyote Response Strategy aims to reduce negative interactions between humans, their pets and property, and coyotes. The strategy includes:

  • Public education
  • Bylaw that prohibits feeding of wildlife
  • Criteria for the removal of coyotes, if necessary

Coyotes are naturally timid and flee when confronted assertively. Never run away from a coyote. Avoid turning your back, maintain eye contact and slowly back away.

Use the following actions to reinforce a boundary and encourage the coyote to move away:

  • Be Big: Make yourself appear large, imposing or as threatening as you can. For example, stand up if possible, raise your arms in the air, wave your jacket.
  • Be Loud: Making loud sounds or noises can help to scare a coyote away. For example, blow a whistle or air horn, stomp your feet, clap your hands, snap open a large plastic or garbage bag or yell “go away coyote”, which also alerts people nearby.
  • Be Threatening: Display assertive behaviour to scare the coyote away. For example, swing your walking stick or cane, shine a flashlight on the coyote, throw a tennis ball or a small pebble or stick in the direction of the coyote, to scare it away.

When to Report

You can contact 311, particularly if you see a coyote:

  • Approaching dogs or people
  • Exploring a home or building far from a large park or open area
  • Limping or staggering or with paralyzed hind legs
  • Acting confused around non-living objects
  • Biting pets
  • If you find an injured or sick coyote

If you see someone feeding a coyote:

  • Call 311 since this is against City bylaws.

Report a Coyote

    • Keep dogs on a leash.
    • Keep cats indoors or supervised when outside.
    • If coyotes are in your area, do not let your pet out into your backyard alone.

    When walking your dog in a park

    • Allow your dog off leash only in designated off leash areas.
    • Walk your dog in areas of high pedestrian traffic such as busy streets, jogging and park trails, keeping your dog on leash and under your control at all times.
    • Walk during daylight hours.
    • Avoid walking along abandoned properties or densely forested areas.
    • Keep your dog in sight, avoid using an extendable/flexi leash.

    If you encounter a coyote while walking your dog

    • If your dog is small, pick the dog up in your arms.
    • If not possible, keep your dog on a short leash and move to an area with more activity.
    • Be big and loud: Jump up and down, wave your arms, yell “Go away coyote!”

    Items to bring with you

    • Flashlights: Bright light has been known to deter coyotes.
    • Umbrellas: The action and sound of opening/closing will deter a coyote.
    • Whistles: May not scare coyote directly but will alert other pedestrians in the area.

    To stop a coyote from coming into your yard

    • Avoid feeding your pets outdoors.
    • Store garbage, recycling and organics properly.
    • Remove dense brush and weeds to minimize hiding spots.

    What should I do if I see a coyote near my home or on my property?

    • Encourage the coyote to keep moving by shouting and gesturing assertively.
    • Remove any food sources from your yard and encourage your neighbours to do the same.

      Learn more