Ottawa dog walkers report scary close encounters with coyotes

Residents are raising concerns about encounters with coyotes in Ottawa. As CTV’s Natalie van Rooy reports, the city is offering tips if you see a coyote.

A number of close coyote sightings have dog walkers in Ottawa on edge.

Walkers say the canines are coming right up to them and their leashed dogs while on public trails in the National Capital Region.

Nadia Clerous captured cellphone video of the moment a pair of bold coyotes started running up to her and her dog Miksha in Orleans.

“One of them was braver than the other and I started backing up and started screaming,” said Cleroux, who walks that route often.

“I tried everything and then I picked up a rock and threw it and they backed up a bit, then they came back.”

Cleroux says she was more concerned about the coyotes going after her small dog, who’s about the size of a rabbit.

The incident is one of a number of recent coyote sightings in the National Capital Region.

Peter Flood, another dog walker, says three coyotes circled him and a dog that he was walking named Olive, on a trail in the experimental farm on Thursday.

“They looked like they were hunting her basically, or me,” said Flood.

“They were being aggressive and they weren’t running away at all.”

Flood made loud noises to scare the canines off before rushing to the parking lot.

“One would move in and the others would circle around,” said Flood.

“If I scared that one, he would back off a few feet while the other ones would maneuver around the sides of us again.”

“The Experimental Farm is a known area for frequent wildlife sightings, particularly coyotes, due to its open landscape and high pedestrian and pet traffic,” Wildlife Resource Coordinator at the Strategic Initiatives Department Dom Ferland told CTV News in a statement.

“We continue to monitor reports from this area and encourage residents to exercise caution, keep pets leashed, and report any concerning wildlife encounters to 3-1-1.

The City of Ottawa says coyotes are not typically dangerous and avoid humans unless they’ve been fed.

If you see a coyote, the city says to remain calm and slowly back away while keeping your face to the animal. It is also recommended to stand tall, wave your hands, and make plenty of noises.

If a coyote is posing an immediate threat or a danger to the public, officials advise calling 9-1-1 immediately.

Cleroux says she called 9-1-1 when her incident happened and was advised to call 3-1-1.

“She still didn’t give me any instructions as to what I could have done,” she said. “Now I carry a whistle and I have a chest light that I carry in winter all the time.”

Cleroux is hoping the city warns other dog walkers to be alert.

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