Coyote bites girl, 16, in Markham; animal services investigating
Posted May 21, 2026 10:30 am.
Last Updated May 22, 2026 11:15 am.
A 16‑year‑old girl was taken to the hospital Thursday morning after she was bitten by a coyote in a residential area of Markham, York Regional Police (YRP) say.
Emergency crews were called to the Mingay Avenue and Bur Oak Avenue area near Markham Road around 8:15 a.m. for reports of an animal complaint.
York Region Paramedic Services says it responded, and one patient, a 16-year-old girl, was taken to the hospital with minor injuries, but emphasized they cannot release further details due to patient confidentiality.
Police urged residents to exercise caution in the neighbourhood as officers and Markham Animal Services worked to locate the coyote and determine the cause of the encounter.
“The City of Markham’s Animal Services team is actively investigating the incident in coordination with York Regional Police, with a continued focus on community safety,” a city spokesperson said in a statement.
It’s not yet clear whether the animal was acting aggressively before the bite or if the teen girl had any interaction with it beforehand.
“The City’s Animal Services team will be patrolling the area over the next few days, as well as installing and increasing signage in the area,” the city added.
“Information is also being shared through the City’s social media channels to help raise awareness and provide residents with clear guidance on how to respond if they encounter a coyote. The messages will include safety tips and the contact information for reporting coyote sightings.”
York Region Public Health says any animal bite triggers a standard assessment for rabies exposure.
