Police say 2 coyotes tried to attack person near Guildwood GO station in Scarborough

Toronto police are warning the public after reports that two aggressive coyotes tried to attack a person at Guildwood Parkway and Livingston Road near the Guildwood GO station in Scarborough on Monday.

Police were called at around 11:30 a.m.

There are no reported injuries, and Toronto Animal Services has been notified.

A man named Mike, who didn’t want to provide his last name, says he encountered the two animals at around 10:45 a.m.

“I went for a walk and … as I turn, two coyotes come crashing out of the trees in the air square towards me,” he recalled.

“I yelped … and threw my bag at them, and they went around me.”

But that wasn’t the end of the interaction. Mike says shortly after, one of the coyotes, the smaller of the two, “circled back” and came at him a second time, “teeth bared.”

Once again, he says he threw his bag at the animal’s legs and yelled, causing it to turn around and leave, this time for good.

“Scared the living crap out of me,” he said.

Toronto Animal Services issued a statement on the reported incident.

“The City is investigating the report and will ensure signage is posted to warn residents that coyotes may be in the area. Our team will be able to provide more information once the details have been confirmed.”

“Coyotes generally do not pose a danger to people, and a bite to a human is abnormal behaviour. Here are steps people can take to protect themselves and their pets if they encounter a coyote:

• Do not run: Avoid turning your back, maintain eye contact and slowly back away.
• Be big: Make yourself appear as large, imposing or as threatening as you can.
• Be loud: Making loud sounds or noises can help to scare a coyote away.
• Be assertive: Display behaviour to scare the coyote away.

ANIMAL COMPLAINT:
Guildwood Pkwy & Livingston Rd
– reports of 2 coyotes in the area, aggressive & tried to attack someone
– police notified
– no reported injuries
– @TOAnimalServices being notified by @311Toronto
– use caution in the area#GO1923445
^al

— Toronto Police Operations (@TPSOperations) October 3, 2022

Aggressive coyotes have become something of an unsettling trend in some parts of the Greater Toronto Area recently.

The city of Burlington has killed four coyotes believed responsible for a string of attacks on humans, including a retirement home resident who was a bit on the hip while she sat outside.

RELATED: Burlington enables crisis team after coyote attacks elderly woman at retirement home

The city said the animals, believed to be from the same den, were exhibiting abnormal and aggressive behaviour and were not afraid of humans.