Reporting:
3-1-1
When you sport a non-aggressive, docile coyote roaming around your neighbourhood, residents are encouraged to report the location to 3-1-1 either by phone, or by using their online booking form (linked below)
9-1-1
If a coyote is posing an active threat to human safety, or you have been/witnessed an attack, immediately call 9-1-1 for support.
Conflict with Humans
Normally, conflict between coyotes and humans will revolve around food. So, as long as people are not feeding them, urban coyotes are considered an important feature of the natural urban ecosystem. However, if you are not accustom to seeing them, it can be very disconcerting to seem them in park spaces. They are useful predators in keep rat and geese populations down. Aggression towards humans is extremely rare and is not normal behaviour.
Should you encounter a coyote, make sure to do the following:
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Remain calm and slowly back away from the coyote
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Do not turn your back and run
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Stand tall, wave your hands, and make plenty of loud noises
City's Approach to Coyotes:
The City uses reports of coyote sightings to help track and identify areas where a Coyote habitat might be forming. Given their importance to our natural ecosystem, coyotes are left largely alone unless they pose an immediate risk to the health and safety of our residents. Staff continuously monitor areas where a coyote has been reported.
Additional Resources
If you are interested in reading more about the citys coyote strategy, please visit ottawa.ca/coyote
Additionally, Our office hosted a community information session, detailing how to best manage coyotes and keep yourself safe, we would encourage you to watch the video included on this page.