Barrie police have issued a warning after a dog was attacked by a coyote today in the Sunnidale Park area.
Police say the report indicated the incident happened Friday afternoon near Sunnidale Road and Shirley Avenue.
Pet owners are urged to contact police immediately if a wild animal poses an immediate threat or danger to public safety.
Similar attacks were reported earlier this year in the Sunnidale Park area.
In January, a small dog was snatched up and taken away in the park. A coyote came out of the nearby woods and grabbed the small dog, which was leashed and with its owner, then retreated back into the forest. The dog was not recovered and was presumed eaten.
In April, a Barrie resident walking their small dog also fended off a brazen coyote attack in Sunnidale Park.
Ontario's Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry provides the following tips on how to limit attracting coyotes to your property:
- Properly store and maintain garbage containers to help prevent coyotes from becoming a problem
- Keep pet food indoors
- Put garbage out the morning of a scheduled pickup
- Use enclosed composting bins rather than exposed piles
- Pick ripe fruit and seed from trees and remove fallen fruit from the ground
- Protect vegetable gardens with heavy-duty garden fences or place vegetable plants in a greenhouse.
Pets such as small dogs or cats can be seen as prey for the animals, and should not be left unattended outside. Always keep your dogs on a leash.
For more information, click here.
