Coyotes

From foxes, to racoons, coyotes and deer, Toronto shares its landscape with wildlife every day. It is very normal to encounter wild animals in the city. The City invites residents to learn more about their behaviour and how to co-exist peacefully so that sharing our space is safe and enjoyable for all.

Coyotes live in cities throughout North America and they are transient, so it is typical to see coyotes in a park, ravine, other green space and even on your street, at any time of the day or night and during all the seasons.

Coyotes have lived in the Toronto for many years and are present all across the city. Coyotes have adapted very well to life in Toronto as food and shelter are plentiful and natural predators are limited. So, these animals will continue to live near us.

Normal Coyote Behaviour

Coyote and human conflicts are unusual, and the following are normal coyote behaviour:

• Coyotes are active during the day and at night, particularly dusk and dawn, and help to control rodent and rabbit populations.
• They do not hibernate and may be seen more often during winter months as they are not hidden by foliage and because it is coyote mating season.
• Feeding coyotes disrupts their wild instincts. Coyotes will eat whatever food is available such as small mammals and birds, and improperly stored garbage.
• Coyotes are naturally timid, avoid humans and flee when confronted assertively.
• Coyotes react to dogs, as they compete for territory and resources.
• They are protective over their dens and display defensive behaviour towards humans and dogs if they are close to dens and pups.

It is not normal for a coyote to jump on, bite, or attack a human without reason.

Learn More

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

Take an e-learning course on Coyotes in the Urban Landscape to learn basic facts about coyote behaviour and how both animals and people can remain safe. This informational module has been created in partnership with Coyote Watch Canada.

The City of Toronto’s 2022 – 2032 Reconciliation Action Plan commits to integrate Indigenous worldviews into corporate strategic approaches. Communities have shared the land with wildlife for generations, today we continue that legacy with an understanding that all life is sacred.

We are one part of an interconnected system that includes all living things, including animals, people, plants and other life. Managing wildlife responsibly supports the health of all components of this system and is the most humane and effective approach.

In addition, coyotes play an important role in maintaining the health of urban ecosystems by creating balance in local food chains. Coexisting with coyotes is a sustainable and cost-effective way to maintain ecological balance and public safety.

Coexistence doesn’t mean we are placing the needs of one species above the safety of humans.

Coexistence is a daily intention: choosing behaviours that respect the need of both humans and wildlife. It includes making easy choices and behaviour changes that does not really hinder us from doing what we do but is more about doing what we do safely and being considerate of other people and animals who may also be in that space.

Understanding our place within the natural world, learning about coyote behaviour, and participating in prevention and aversion efforts are all essential steps towards maintaining the vibrant ecosystem that makes Toronto a place where people want to live, work, and play.

When we care for wildlife, we care for ourselves and the planet we share. Working together, we can ensure people, pets and wildlife thrive in the places we all call home.

If You See a Coyote

• Never turn your back or run away
• Face the coyote and slowly back away
• Keep dogs leashed
• Pick up small dogs and keep larger dogs by your side
• Stay alert and off your phone
• Do not corner or chase coyotes

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
• That is sick and/or injured (for example, limping or staggering)
• Acting confused around non-living objects
• Biting pets

If you find an injured or sick coyote

• Contact 311 so that the City can respond.

If you see someone feeding a coyote:

• Contact 311 since this is against City bylaws.

Report a Coyote

Using specific techniques to compel wildlife to move away from humans is known as aversion conditioning. If a coyote approaches you, do not run or turn your back. Instead:

• Be Big: Unfurl and rapidly snap a large colored garbage bag, and walk towards the coyote using a firm, loud voice to encourage it to leave. The combined visual and audio effect alarms coyotes, as they are generally averse to loud and unfamiliar sounds.
• 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, yell “go away coyote” to alert people nearby using a loud, firm voice.
• Be Assertive: 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.
• Be Threatening: Make yourself appear large, imposing or as threatening as you can, and throw pebbles, sticks, or small objects in the direction of but not at the coyotes. For example, stand up, if possible, raise your arms in the air, wave your jacket.
• Be Safe: Protect your pets by picking up dogs, keeping them on a short leash beside you and under your supervision and control.

• Keep dogs on a leash when in public.
• 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 Dogs in Parks

• 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, densely forested areas or unmanaged trails.
• Keep your dog in sight, avoid using an extendable/flexi leash.

If Encountering a Coyote while Walking Dogs

• If your dog is small, pick them 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.
• Garbage bag: The snapping sound made with an open garbage bag scare coyotes away.

Coyote-Proof Your Property

Secure waste and compost (garbage, green, and blue bins):

• Store garbage, green bins, and recycling indoors or in locked bins with secure lids.
• Put bins out on the morning of collection day and not the night before where possible.
• Call 311 to replace damaged bins.

Keep your property free of food:

• Clean and cover barbecues and drip trays and cover after using.
• Do not leave pet food, such as food for feral cats, and bird suet cakes outdoors or uncovered.
• Maintain bird feeders regularly to minimize waste seed on the ground. Alternatively, consider planting indigenous vegetation as opposed to using feeders.
• Pick up fallen fruit and vegetables on the ground.
• Keep your property, including the adjacent sidewalk or boulevard, clean so that you do not attract rodents, which in turn attract coyotes.

Maintain your property so that it is not used as a den:

• Keep fencing, decks and sheds, crawl spaces and foundation walls in good repair.
• Mow long grass, trim buses, and clean up brush piles and debris to reduce hiding places
• Consider installing coyote-proof fences, made of material animals cannot climb.
• Check in and behind structures and bushes before letting pets outside.
• Pick up after your dog and remove pet feces from your yard to deter rodents.

Take care of pets on your property:

• Closely supervise pets while they are outside in your yard, ground-floor balcony or patio.
• Keep cats inside or in enclosed areas.
• Keep dogs inside your home at night.
• Keep outdoor areas well-lit at night and check darkened areas before letting pets outside.

Do not feed wildlife:

• Coyotes eat human food as well as the rodents attracted to garbage, compost and bird feeders.

Do not litter and dispose of garbage:

• Do not litter or leave waste behind in parks.
• Dispose of garbage properly and do not leave trash outside of bins. This includes on and near your property and in public spaces.

Know when coyotes are most likely to be active:

• Understanding where coyotes are likely to be found and how they behave will help you make safe, informed choices.

Keep dogs on leash where required:

• Coyotes may react to pets. Always keep your pet on a leash and under close supervision when outside to deter coyotes from approaching.
• Pick up after your dog and dispose of dog waste to deter rodents, which in turn attract coyotes.
• Learn about responsible dog ownership and how you can keep both pets and wildlife safe.

Recognizing that coyotes are an important part of Toronto’s diverse ecology, helping to control rodent and rabbit populations, the City’s goal is to preserve wildlife and coexist with them. We want to protect our incredibly diverse wildlife and all the thousands of unique species calling this city home.

The City’s Coyote Coexistence and Response Strategy (updated in July 2025, 2025.EC22.4), is designed to guide City responses and support public participation in wildlife management efforts. It was informed by practical field experience, a review of best practices, research from comparable jurisdictions, and input from wildlife and animal experts from across North America.

The strategy:

• Outlines the Coyote Incident Classification and Response Table to guide City responses and provide clarity on when the City will escalate its responses
• Provides information on how to identify coyotes, differentiate between typical and problematic behaviour, and what to do if encountering coyotes.
• Clarifies the importance of coexistence strategies in wildlife management and reaffirms public safety as a priority.
• Explains the role of the public in coyote management efforts through reporting activity to 311 and complying with bylaws.
• Describes the City’s role in ensuring bylaw compliance through education, enforcement, monitoring and response.

In addition to continuing to respond to individual incidents and conducting aversion conditioning, involves a comprehensive, multi-part plan covering:

• waste management
• property maintenance
• bylaw enforcement
• site modifications
• heightened public education

This will help create a longer-term solution for wildlife, pet and human safety.

While the City does its best to support wildlife in their natural habitat, if animal behaviour changes in a way that jeopardizes public safety, then the City takes escalated action, which may include a range of options.