Coyotes and foxes are commonly seen in the Niagara Region and are an important part of our ecosystem. By staying aware, taking simple precautions, and respecting wildlife, we can avoid conflicts and safely live alongside them.
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Be a good neighbour to wildlife
- Never feed wildlife. Adhere to the coyote anti-feeding by-law
- Teach children how to stay safe around wild animals
- Avoid coyote dens. Never interfere with pups even if it appears the parents have abandoned them
- Respect nature. Take nothing, leave nothing. Take all garbage, food, and dog poop with you when you leave
- With respect, education, and simple safety steps, we can safely share our community with coyotes and other wildlife
Report a coyote/fox sighting or illegal feeding
How to keep coyotes away from your yard
Coyotes visit yards looking for food. You can make your yard less inviting by:
- Cleaning up fallen fruit from trees
- Keep pet food and water bowls inside
- Keep trash cans covered with wildlife proof lids
What to do if you encounter a coyote
Always be prepared and aware of your surroundings when enjoying the outdoors. If you come face-to-face with a coyote:
- Pick up small children and pets
- Do not turn your back or run
- Wave your arms over your head, make loud noises, slowly back away while yelling “Go away!”
Keep pets safe
Coyotes, hawks, owls, and other animals may see small pets as prey. Keep your pets safe by:
- Keeping cats indoors
- Walking dogs on a leash, especially at dawn and dusk
- Never leaving pets outside at night
- Keeping rabbits, chickens, and other small animals in strong, covered pens
- Spaying or neutering your pets (rarely, coyotes may try to breed with dogs)
- Keeping your yard fenced and supervised
Coyote activity by season
You may see coyotes more often:
- In winter (Jan–Feb) during mating season
- In spring (Mar–June) while raising pups
- In fall when young coyotes leave the pack
Helpful links
