Alice Kent, a resident of Christie Pits, has a weekly routine of leaving her back door open for her cleaner on Tuesday evenings. However, one day, Kent was surprised to find an unexpected visitor in her house. The cleaner discovered a baby coyote lounging on the mattress in the master bedroom. Initially thinking it was a prank or a toy left behind, Kent was shocked to see a real coyote on her bed.
Encounters between people and coyotes have been on the rise in Toronto in recent years. City statistics show that since 2020, there have been nine incidents of coyote bites in Toronto. Deputy Mayor Ausma Malik proposed an urgent action plan in February 2025 to address the issue.
Recent incidents, such as a child being attacked in Whitby in June and a two-year-old in July, have sparked concerns and discussions about population control strategies, including euthanization and hazing.
Kent’s initial amusement turned to concern for the safety of her family and cleaner as she realized the potential danger posed by the coyote. The pup also had mange, a skin condition causing discomfort and bald patches. Kent promptly contacted 911 and the Toronto Wildlife Centre for assistance.
Responding to the situation, the Toronto Wildlife Centre and police found the coyote pup hiding under the bed. The team safely removed the pup, which was part of a coyote family suffering from sarcoptic mange. After assessing and treating the coyote, it was released back into the area.
Kent had previously noticed coyote pups on her property and had been advised by the Wildlife Centre to deter them. The Wildlife Centre recommends removing food sources, supervising pets, and making loud noises to manage coyote interactions. While caution is advised, there is also an emphasis on not fearing coyotes unnecessarily.
The Toronto Wildlife Centre focuses on tracking sick coyotes in the city, with the exact number of coyotes roaming Toronto remaining uncertain. Karvonen mentioned the need for extensive studies to determine the true scale of the coyote population in the city.