A young child sustained significant injuries following a coyote attack at a playground in Whitby, Ontario, where multiple recent sightings have been reported, according to Durham police. The incident occurred on Sunday evening at Vanier Park, where a two-year-old boy was bitten in the face by a coyote. The child’s guardian and bystanders managed to scare off the animal. The boy was then taken to the hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.
Following this attack, another coyote in distress was reported near Harriet and Annes streets, prompting police to respond and safely remove the animal from the area without any injuries reported.
Durham police are collaborating with the Town of Whitby, local animal services, and the Durham Region Health Department to investigate the incidents, monitor coyote activity, and mitigate the risk of future encounters. While emphasizing that coyote-human aggressive interactions are uncommon, the police urged residents to exercise vigilance, especially near parks, playgrounds, trails, and natural areas during coyotes’ peak activity hours.
The recent incidents in Whitby come shortly after another child was hospitalized due to a coyote bite in a public field near a forested tree line. Police have issued public advisories on social media cautioning pedestrians and pet owners to be vigilant when using public spaces.
Whitby has recorded 96 coyote sightings in the last month, as per the town’s online dashboard. Similar reports of coyote sightings have been noted in neighboring Toronto communities over the past year. Authorities in York and Toronto have responded to coyote attacks and increased sightings, prompting the development of new strategies to address the issue.
To stay safe from coyotes, police recommend maintaining a safe distance if encountered, supervising children outdoors, keeping pets on a short leash, following guidance in areas with coyote presence, avoiding known coyote habitats when possible, eliminating food attractants, and remaining calm while making loud noises if a coyote is encountered. Residents are encouraged to report any future coyote sightings to animal services.