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. â€"â€"â€"-â€"â€".â€".â€" M , ._J_*,__A , ,Hm to wam public 1339 spotted them while walking on the Wood- ward Woodlot Trail that runs between Thomp- son Road and Robarts Drive, , i ' Ward ‘4 Councillor Rick Malboeuf said he: awarethat coyote sightings have become an issue all throughout Milton, Oakvllle and Bur- lington. “Signs may be a good way'to go.” he said, add- ing there also needs to. be public education around keeping pets on leash and being cau- tious goingout for walks in the late eve- ‘ninnordarly mornan . . But Town Clerk Troy McHarg â€"â€", whose staff oversee animal control for Milton â€" told the Champion that “the posting of signs at parks and on trails is not something the Town is pur- suing at this time." He said the municipality is currently working on updating its website to include informa- tion on ways to prevent and manage conflicts with coyotes, similar to a web page currently published by the Province. He added, 'If a resident feels that a coyote poses an immediate threat or danger to pub lic safety they're urged to call 91 1." When asked if he would consider bringing the sign idea before council, Malboeuf said he’d first like to find out more about the costs in- volved and investigate whether or not they've been effective in other municipalities, such as HAL‘I@N_ REGION ‘ Pest w In mum Pmmmmm “HWANTIII GUESTS PM! I'll WINTER? MENTION THIS AD 8: GET A FREE QUOT E TODAY! (W & NBC Raéidences Ora?) Tel: 905.876.1941 v » Follow us on: D @infoHRPC smiceahaltonregionpestcontrol.com mkflonrefionpestcontrolxom ’- Burlington. * There’fie been a plethora of reports recently in the news regaidin‘g Lcoyotes wanderingirito residential «as, including Gatnpbellviile. residents are saying that cowte attacks on pets are preyalent. ‘ According to the Ontario Ministry of Natural fiesources (MNR), the’ nunber of coyotes in southern and central Ontario: peaked in 2010 and continues toglimb, but their food sources are on leading them to engage in risky’behavloor as they get hungry and des- perate. If a coyote is spotted, the MNR recommends backing away from the animal while standing tall and making lots of noise to scare it away. To protect dogs, the ministry suggests keep- ing them inside at night and cleaning up after them as coyotes are attracted to dog feces. For now, Walsh said she’s steering clear of the two trails where she witnessed coyotes. "I'm scared to take the dogs anywhere except the backyard or the offâ€"leash park, where there are always people during the day," she said. ( "My close encounter was a reality check that l could've lost my pets or been attacked that morning."