No outdoor lunch, recess at Brampton school due to increased coyote sightings

Coyote sightings are keeping students indoors this week at a Brampton elementary school.

The animals have been spotted over the past week on the property of Our Lady of Peace Separate School on Fincham Avenue, in the area of Chinguacousy Road and Queen Street.

The Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board says staff have been directed to be “extra vigilant,” and as a precaution, the school is keeping students inside during lunch and recess until at least the start of March Break next week.

“In the meantime, we continue to look to Brampton Animal Services for a solution,” says a spokesperson from the school board.

The board says it has been in contact with the city who have been at the school trying to get the coyotes to leave the area. Brampton Animal Services say they were first notified of coyotes in nearby Major William Sharpe Park on March 1.

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“Brampton Animal Services’ priority is ensuring the safety of the local community, including the nearby school, as well as the wildlife, and are attending the area on a daily basis to observe and to engage in aversion conditioning techniques, which are methods used by staff to encourage the animal to move from the area,” reads a statement.

The city says their staff have met with school staff on a number of occasions and provided them with information about how to interact with the animals.

Brampton residents are advised to use an online coyote sighting tool. The tool was launched in the fall and can be used to report sightings with an interactive map, while also allowing people to see whether the coyotes have had interactions with pets.

The City of Brampton has tips for residents if they do come across a coyote. They include:

• Stop, pick up children and small pets if necessary
• Stand still, never run from a coyote.
• Make yourself bigger, appear aggressive, stand tall, wave your arms high in the air.
• Be loud and assertive, shout, stomp your feet or clap your hands. Carry a noise maker i.e. whistle, plastic bag or umbrella to make a popping sound.
• Fight back, throw some sticks or rocks in the general direction of the coyote to scare and deter. Do not throw it directly at the coyote.
• Slowly back away, maintain eye contact and remember, never run.
• Call 911 if there is an immediate threat to public safety.

The City is also reminding residents to call 311 if they require assistance with a sick or injured animal. Residents can call 911 if an animal poses an immediate threat to public safety.

With files from Meredith Bond