Aggressive coyotes attacking dogs in Mill Creek Ravine, south Edmonton
Global News
A dwindling wild rabbit population, an increase in dogs being walked in Edmonton parks and possible illegal feedings could be to blame for a rise in aggressive coyote behaviour.
Sneaking up on children in backyards, attacking dogs on walks: aggressive coyote behaviour is on the rise in parts of Edmonton, according to area residents and those who monitor the animals’ behaviour.
Crystal Benoit lives in the Avonmore neighbourhood, which is at the far south end of the Mill Creek Ravine.
On a summer night at the end of August, she was in her backyard with her three sons: eight-year-old twins and a 10-year-old. It wasn’t a quiet evening.
Two of the boys were playing on the trampoline, the third was engrossed with his Hot Wheels cars while mom was relaxing around the fire.
“We had music playing, the kids were laughing and it was really kind of loud around here,” she said.
Benoit said out of the corner of her eye, she saw brown movement — a coyote had come around the side of the house and was in the yard.
“It was slowly creeping up on my son, who was playing with the Hot Wheels track.
Benoit said she went into mama bear mode: jumping up, raising her arms and screaming at the animal. She chased it out of the yard, leaving her oblivious children confused and scared.
