The Real Danger: Deer not Coyotes

by Mary Lynn Horton
(Niagara Peninsula, Ontario)

I know it must be a frightening experience to see a Coyote for the first time, and it is true, that Coyotes will grab small dogs and cats out on their own. But, I have never, ever heard of a Coyote grabbing a small dog that is with its owner.


I have often come across Coyotes where I live (within a few feet) and they have never bothered me. They usually stay away from humans.

I am sorry that you think¨something has to be done. If this becomes the popular outcry in your area, then the sad result will be all the Coyotes in your area being trapped and then killed.

Please consider this: More people are killed every year in Canada by Deer and Moose than by any other animals, including Bears and Cougars (who actually stalk humans) and rattlesnakes.

That is because deer run in front of cars, smash through the windshield and people die.

There is no record of coyotes killing humans. Coyotes keep the deer populations down. Wolves and Coyotes are highly intelligent animals that usually want to stay as far away from humans as possible.

Coyotes have always lived here in Niagara on the Niagara Escarpment, but because developers have started building on and near the escarpment, people now see Coyotes and tend to react hysterically.

As a result, they trapped the Coyotes, then killed them, and now more and more people, including me and my daughter have deer running in front of our cars ($5,000 damage to our car and thank God we were not killed.)

A friend had a deer run into her SUV just the other day which flipped over and she now has head injuries.

I realize that I am pro-Coyote and you are not, but there are two sides to every story and to be quite honest, there is a compelling story that Coyotes are not the dangerous animals so many believe.

For most of the year Coyotes live on mice, rabbits and other rodents.

I do not expect you to like Coyotes. Centuries of horror stories and fables about Wolves and Coyotes have demonized them unfairly, to no end.

When I walk in Conservation parks or other deserted areas, I am far more afraid of the two-legged predators than any other animal.

Mary Lynn

Thank you, Mary Lynn, for your well written and insightful article. I moved it from our "Comments" section, to here so that more people will see it

Comments for The Real Danger: Deer not Coyotes

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starstarstarstarstar 		Humans more Dangerous
by: Skotia

Very well written. I agree in most part with you on this matter though we need to take it a step further. We happen to be the ones encroaching on the remaining lands of wildlife and we seem to want to blame that same wildlife for being where they belong. A common theme for the human race.....

You can read the remainder of this article, here at Humans even more Dangerous .....
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Coyotes in East York / Beach Area
by: cindy morton

I understand your concern but I have watched the news and for approximately 4 years there have been attacks on small dogs in the owners' backyard.

I lived where the attacks took place in the beach at Queen and Woodbine area.

I am not a killer of Coyotes, I hope no harm comes to wildlife, but what is more upsetting to me is how all this is come about everywhere you turn more condominiums, townhouses,and shopping centres are being built and now the Coyotes are roaming our streets.

It is not their fault that they are out of their element.

The bottom line for me is nobody knows for sure what these wild life creatures are thinking especially when they are hungry and desperate for food.

I have called the wild life hotline and have been educating myself in the approach I need to take to protect myself and my dog and my community, knowledge is power.

I understand nothing is going to be done until someone gets seriously hurt.
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Great Outdoors
by: Aanonnonymous

I agree with your comment about deer and moose collisions. Insurance companies are also not happy.

Human encroachment on wildlife habitat is a very real problem. How do you suggest we stop this problem?

The only things wild animals know how to do is forage for food and reproduce. They have no control over these instincts.

If left unchecked, over population, disease and suffering will occur, along with human and pet encounters.

I have been involved in the outdoor community for over fifty years. I know what goes on in the outdoors, being a hunter, fisherman and, yes, a sportsman and conservationist.

I continually support outdoor activities through my club, our parent club (Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters) with membership dues, donations and many hours of volunteer work.

I suggest you look into OFAH a little deeper and find out what is REALLY happening in Ontario.
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Let Nature be!
by: Darlene

I agree 100% with Mary Lynn's post. Let's not get hysterical about Nature living in our midst.

If you worry about your pets or little kids, then it's up to you to protect them, not to get rid of the animals.

Heck, a large dog could do the same damage as a coyote.

They're wild and don't know the difference between a pet or a child and prey.

I, myself, like to enjoy the wildlife we have left.

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