Burlington says it has eliminated coyote responsible for three attacks on humans

Burlington says it has eliminated the coyote identified in recent attacks on residents in south central Burlington.

The city says a third recent unprovoked coyote attack on a human was reported to the them yesterday evening. It says Animal Services staff played a key role in tracking the coyote identified as being responsible for all three attacks.

During the evening, the city says an 18-year-old girl was lying in the grass a a municipal lookout at the end of Market Street, south of Lakeshore Road, when she felt a tug on her hair. She turned to see a coyote which then bit and scratched her leg as she stood up. She was taken for medical attention and was released.

The city says the two other recent attacks were also unprovoked but during the day. The first was on a woman on the Centennial Multiuse Trail at Seneca Avenue in the morning. The coyote jumped and bit her from behind.

The second attack was on a 2 1/2 year-old toddler seated on a deck in his fenced backyard less than two kilometres east of the first attack. The city says there was no food, small animals or any other activity to attract the coyote. The toddler was bitten on the back of the neck. The toddler and the woman were both treated at hospital and released.

The city says the attacks are uncharacteristic of coyotes and are the first reported on humans in Burlington. It says on the rare occasion that a coyote attacks a person, the city has a council approved protocol in place that is currently being followed to prioritize and deal with the coyote in question.

Anyone who sees a coyote is encouraged to let the city know by submitting an online report or calling 905-335-3030.