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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Thursday, December 17, 2015 | 20 Coyote in southeast Oakville has proved elusive by Julia Le Oakville Beaver Staff The Oakville and Milton Humane Society (OMHS) has been working with the Town of Oakville and Halton police to track down coyotes that could have mange in south Oakville. Since late summer, the OMHS has captured three coyote pups with the skin disease and sent them to Toronto Wildlife for treatment. OMHS Executive Director Kim Millan told the Oakville Beaver, it has received several calls reporting sightings of a coyote that looks like it has mange in the Lakeshore Road East and Ford Drive area. It's the same community where one family is grieving the loss of the family pet, Darwin, after the four-year-old shih tzu went missing from the family's backyard Tuesday evening (Dec. 15). The O'Hallorans suspect Darwin was attacked and killed by a coyote, after finding what appeared to be his tail the following morning, not far from their home that backs onto a forest and ravine. Millan said OMHS officers have been in the area frequently trying to capture the coyote that may be in need of treatment. "Coyotes are very, very smart," she said, noting they can travel great distances in a short period of time. "This guy has been extremely elusive." Coyotes are very, very smart. This guy has been extremely elusive. We have a number of people call us when they see the coyote crossing Lakeshore. So we know it's in that area, but there are also some areas there that are wooded so it's easy for them to hide. Oakville and Milton Humane Society executive director Kim Millan | photo by Paul Rothfischer Paul Rothfischer saw what appears to be a coyote on All Saints Crescent Dec. 5. Mange is a skin condition caused by mites burrowing under the skin and causes a coyote to become lethargic, ill and itchy. The affected animal loses its fur and ability to regulate its body temperature and if the disease is left untreated, it is fatal. "We have a number of people call us when they see the coyote crossing Lakeshore," Millan said. "So we know it's in that area, but there are also some areas there that are wooded so it's easy for them to hide. This guy seems to be coming out even in daylight. Normally you don't see them until dusk or dawn." Donna Doyle, a senior environmental policy analyst with the Town of Oakville, said she suspects the increase in reports of sightings and encounters with coyotes in south Oakville -- in the areas of Maple Grove Drive and Lakeshore Road area and Fourth Line and Rebecca Street -- are because of mange. "It doesn't make them more dangerous or anything, it doesn't increase the risk to people, but what happens is mange gets under their skin and it makes them really itchy, makes their fur fall out and all sorts of negative impacts on their health," said Doyle. Mange also smells terrible, which makes it difficult for coyotes to get close to prey; it causes them to be weaker; and with fur loss, coyotes are unable to retain heat, she added. Doyle said coyotes are likely coming out more in the open now to get food that is easy to get to, such as fallen fruit, garbage and birdseed. Also, because they are losing heat, they may be exploring when it's sunny outside and walking along sidewalks because paved areas retain heat. "These coyotes do not pose any additional risk due to their illness but unfortunately, we know a number of people are feeding these animals because they feel sorry for them, which is actually a very bad idea because it further encourages them to approach people," said Doyle. She's reminding people to never feed coyotes and keep pets on a leash. Don't leave your pets unattended as coyotes may see them as food or as a threat. If a coyote approaches you, do not run or turn your back on a coyote. Appear large and aggressive while making loud noises. Use whistles and personal alarm devices to frighten them. Slowly back away. If you feel you are in danger, call 911. The Town of Oakville has a coyote reporting system that it encourages residents to use to report an encounter, someone feeding coyotes or a problem with food waste or garbage. It tracks the information provided through the system to assess areas with increased coyote activity and eliminate human-based food sources for coyote. For information, or to see a map of coyote sightings in your area, visit www.oakville.ca/ environment/featured-wildlife.html. New Fortinos opens in time for holiday season By Katelyn Dingman Fortinos celebrated the grand opening of its newest store in north Oakville on Friday, Dec. 11. The store, located on Dundas St. W, is the second Fortinos grocer to emerge in Oakville and the 23rd store to open in Ontario. With the other store located in downtown Oakville (on Lakeshore Rd. W.), Fortinos franchise owner Mike Rozenberg said he thinks the expansion of the franchise will be a great addition to the community. "With the growth in the area, I think it's the perfect store to serve the Oakville clientele," he said. "The quality that we carry overall in the entire store is going to mesh well with the quality that people in Oakville expect," Launching the Pane Fresco department, the 69,000-sq-ft grocer will reinforce the concept of `eating well made easy'. The Pane Fresco fresh market emporium features a wide variety of fresh foods-to-go, including more than 20 varieties of artisan breads, 16 signature soups, sandwiches, wraps, pizzas, oven-roasted prime rib and turkey breast. All of the Pane Fresco recipes are inspired by traditional Italian foods that deliver real, authentic flavour without additives or preservatives. The store's underground parking lot is another great feature that will make customers grocery shopping experience more convenient, especially during the winter months, Rozenberg said. Other features include a kiosk dedicated to catering, a Advertorial Fortinos customers can enjoy fresh market foods-to-go from Pane Fresco department. Photos by Riziero Vertolli, Metroland Media Group Mark Rozenberg, franchisee holds a Fortinos Romano pizza, from the Pane Fresco department, at the new Oakville location on Dundas St. W. fresh deli that offers more than 400 varieties of specialty cheese and an extensive bulk food collection. One product that Rozenberg says is limited to just a few Fortinos location is their aged beef. "It's a very unique item that only a few outlets do," Rozenberg explained. "I think it's going to do very well here." The new location will also offer an extensive line-up of organic produce and a health and wellness section with a large selection of sports nutrition supplements and protein powders. The store will be open Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. and on Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. For more information, visit the Dundas Fortinos location (493 Dundas St. W., Oakville) or check out Fortinos online at fortinos.ca.