Burlington distributes whistles amid rash of unprovoked coyote attacks

The City of Burlington has resorted to handing out whistles at five of its library branches amid a rash of recent unprovoked coyote attacks.

The whistles were quickly snatched up by concerned residents and are now out of stock, according to Burlington Public Library.

The city says there have been five recent unprovoked coyote attacks — the first ever recorded in the city.

The attacks are believed to be connected to a den on a private lot near Mayzel Road, next to Central Park.

In one incident last Wednesday, a woman was walking in Central Park at around 6:30 a.m. when she was attacked. She was treated for scratches at the hospital and released.

The coyote was then located and killed, the city confirmed.

“These attacks are uncharacteristic of coyotes, and this cluster of attacks on humans are the first reported in Burlington,” the City said in a release.

The city says it’s working with wildlife professionals to address the recent attacks, and specifically, the den of coyotes believed responsible.

“The den is located on a private lot, and City staff have contacted the owners to remove vegetation and fallen trees.

They have seven days to comply with the City order to clean up the building site, so it is no longer an attractive denning site for coyotes.”