Coyote encounter at Dog Park in Mississauga

by Anonymous
(Mississauga, Ontario, Canada)

One of our readers sent us this report of his Coyote encounter at the Dog Park on highway 430 / Eglinton Ave, Mississauga

On early morning on Tuesday February 14, 2012 (approx. 5:30am) I brought my two Boxers to the Indian Summer trail park (now owned by Hershey centre) for their regular morning play time. I bring them early as it is what works for my work schedule. In addition, I've tried to avoid taking my dogs there during the day when there are a number of other potentially aggressive dogs.

My dogs are very friendly and non-aggressive but there have been unfortunate instances that have occurred previously with other dogs. So in other words, bringing them there that early eliminates the worry of running into an altercation with another dog.

For those that are not familiar with the set up of the dog park, there is about a 100 metre walk from the parking lot to the dog park entrance.

Well, needless to say, this particular morning, as I was approaching the park entrance, about 10 metres away from the entrance, I see on my left a creature that I assumed was a dog, but with no owner in sight, I quickly realized that it was a Coyote.

My heart just about stopped when I saw a second Coyote not too far from the first. From where I first saw them, I must've been about 20 metres away from them. Luckily we were very close to the park entrance, so I ran towards the door and got my dogs inside.

The park is double gated so after letting my dogs in the actual park, I stood there and watched them intently to ensure they don't make any threatening movements. They approached the park entrance closer and were basically at a stare-off with me for what seemed like a good 10 mins or so. For a while they wouldn't leave and just observed.

I watched them while my dogs played in the park for maybe a good 25 mins or until they walked up the ravine path towards the Hershey Centre. I made certain that they were gone prior to leaving the park about 45mins after getting there, which by that time the sun began to rise (thank goodness!).

I was so thankful that my dogs did not notice them as they most likely would have been curious about them (and I can only imagine what would have happened if they wanted to meet them and say "hello").

Anyway, since then I've avoided taking my dogs to parks, ravines and basically anywhere that a coyote may go to hunt unless the sun is out - and even still I am on constant watch. I agree with the previous post here that cities should assist in controlling at least the vicinity in which they roam (which I can appreciate would be difficult). I'm concerned as I've seen way too many reports of coyotes attacking dogs - of all sizes!

Furthermore, we may be making a move either up north to the Hunstville area or east to Trenton area soon (which I imagine would be even more populated with coyotes among other creatures). If coyotes are being spotted in Mississauga, then I would have to be on constant watch at our new place...

Suddenly, taking my dogs to a congested dog park during the day doesn't sound so bad!

Thank you so much for your report, I hope you don't mind that I moved it from being a comment on someone else's report, to here, where it will be seen by more of our readers.