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continued from p.1 trap when they know there is a ton of garbage or a rabbit or squirrel just down the way." Legislation states any wildlife captured must be euthanized or released within 24 hours and, no more than one kilometre from where it was captured. People also heard if a coyote is removed from an area, another moves in to claim the territory. Doyle said lethal traps are not a viable option because they pose a danger to other animals, as well as pets and people. She noted municipalities attempting coyote culls have seen little impact as the survivors have larger litters due to reduced competition for food. Doyle said it all leaves humans needing to change their behaviour to prevent conflicts. Topping that list, she said, is people must stop feeding the canines. "We know people are feeding them," said Doyle. "We've also got people, who are letting their pets play with the coyotes in their back- `Blondie', the OT coyote, plays chase, ball and may be endangered yards. They're training them.... We do have a coyote here that will chase a ball for you. It is quite disturbing actually." Doyle said it results in coyotes that are not afraid and will therefore approach people. The coyote ultimately pays the highest price when this happen as it often has to be euthanized. Laura Mackasey, an OMHS animal protective services manager, spoke of a coyote in southeast Oakville dubbed "the OT Coyote" or "Blondie." It, she said, is so used to being fed by students at Oakville Trafalgar High School (OTHS), it can be found at the school at lunch hour almost daily. Mackasey said the OMHS has been trying to capture Blondie so he can be rehabilitated. "This blond coyote has been keeping my department in shape. We get our daily cardio by chasing him for hours on end. He is smart and he is not sick. We, in partnership with the Town, have decided this is an animal that needs to be captured. It has been in too much conflict with people and has become too much of a risk," said Mackasey. "We have tried just about everything to catch this fellow. This coyote has made a fool out of me and every person in our department and the students love to watch us run through the fields after this particular coyote." While Mackasey's comments provoked laughter as she described Blondie running from OMHS officers -- while one day simultaneously playing with a stolen soccer ball -- Mackasey noted Blondie's future is not necessarily bright. On Jan. 12, a coyote, presumably Blondie, approached a female student and growled after the student walked past an area where other students are known to regularly feed the coyote. Police were called, but the coyote fled. Additional aggressive incidents could lead to the coyote being considered a danger to the public and destroyed. Halton police emphasized the animal would only be killed as an absolute last resort, noting public safety is their paramount consideration. "If any of your kids go to E.J. James or OT or Maple Grove Public School, it is hugely important that we educate them on why we cannot continue to do this. We have tried. They don't seem to have a care about anything we have to say, but hopefully if they hear it often enough, that this is a death sentence for this coyote, hopefully, they will stop (feeding it)." Mackasey also spoke about the cases of mange that are impacting some coyotes in Oakville. The skin disease causes hair loss and has led to coyotes frequenting residential areas seeking warmth and easy food sources. Town staff said mange is not a threat to humans or pets and does not directly lead to increased aggression among coyotes. Mackasey said the OMHS tries to capture coyotes with mange so they can be sent to the Toronto Wildlife Centre and treated. It captured four coyotes in 2015, which it considers a huge success. Mackasey said residents who see a coyote with mange can call the OMHS at 905-845-1551. Residents are also being asked to keep their pets safe by keeping dogs on-leash and cats indoors, as per local bylaws. Mackasey said dogs must be supervised when they are in the backyard. "The reality is you cannot leave your small dog unattended in the backyard for two to three hours, particularly at dusk or dawn. That is a huge risk you are taking," she said. Those present also heard from Julia Pietrus, of the Toronto Wildlife Centre, who noted coyote attacks on people are incredibly rare. The Town noted no coyote attacks on humans have been reported in Halton since 2012, when a coyote nipped the leg of a young girl, but not breaking the skin. Pietrus noted in the history of North America, there have only been two people killed by coyotes. The Town of Oakville has a coyote reporting system where residents can report sightings as well as unusual behaviour or people feeding the wild animals. This system can be accessed through www.oakville.ca. 3 | Friday, January 22, 2016 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com inside today's Editorial Artscene Beaver www.insideHALTON.com 6 38 Sports Classified 40 42 Rabba Real Estate New Homes Bucksburn Veterinary Services Starksy Fine Foods *All flyers not necessarily delivered to all homes For home delivery & customer service call 905-631-6095, 5300 Harvester Rd., Burlington New subscriptions call 905-631-6095 or subscribe online @ www.oakvillebeaver.com Sore Feet, Sports Injury, Painful Ingrown Toenails? Plantar Warts? We can help! 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