A Toronto police officer shot and killed a coyote in the city’s Cabbagetown area Monday night because of public safety concerns, a spokeswoman says.

The coyote appeared to be looking for food and was acting aggressively towards people, said police Const. Wendy Drummond.

Police were first alerted Sunday when a coyote wandered into the neighbourhood from the Don Valley, she said.

“The animal was coming in close contact with area residents and was eventually chased back into the valley,” Drummond told CP24.

Drummond said a coyote returned to the neighbourhood Monday, prompting police to issue a public safety alert and warn people to keep an eye on their children and pets.

Officers later encountered the wild animal and were unsuccessful in their attempts to scare it back into the ravine.

“These attempts failed as the animal seemed to be looking for a food source and acting aggressively,” Drummond said. “A constable discharged his firearm and destroyed the animal for the safety of the public in a wooded area.”

Police believe the animal that was shot is the same one that drew complaints from residents Sunday.

Police receive criticism

After the shooting, the city’s police service was criticized by the Toronto Wildlife Centre, whose officials argued that the situation could have been handled differently.

“People have unrealistic fears about coyotes, and it’s unfortunate that the police have validated this fear by shooting an animal to death that was doing nothing wrong,” Nathalie Karvonen, the TWC’s executive director, said in a statement. “While many animals that live in our communities have the potential to be dangerous, coyotes attacks on people are virtually unheard of. Dogs, on the other hand, frequently injure people yet we would be outraged if the police shot a dog just because it was seen in someone’s neighbourhood.”

The organization said police should have contacted wildlife experts for assistance.

“It’s unfortunate that the police didn’t seek information from wildlife experts in how to handle this situation. There were resources available to them,” said Andrew Wight, team leader of the Toronto Wildlife Centre’s rescue program.

Last year, police shot and killed a coyote that was acting aggressively near Cherry Beach. In another incident, a man said a coyote charged at him three times while he was doing yoga in Riverdale Park, but he stood his ground and the coyote wandered away.

Coyotes have taken up residence and adapted to urban life in Toronto, despite it being a large, bustling city with more than 2.5 million residents. Park-like valleys that flow through Toronto make a very attractive habitat for coyotes, according to the city.

Coyotes prey on smaller animals such as rabbits or birds, but they have been known to snatch small dogs and cats, or pick through garbage.

Attacks on humans are extremely rare.

Toronto Wildlife Centre said it receives more calls about coyotes in the winter when food is scarce and the animals venture further into neighbourhoods in search of something to eat.

The centre is urging people not to feed coyotes or other wild animals, or leave out food that will attract them.

The city urges residents and businesses to seal their garbage and compost containers.

People who are approached by a coyote should stay calm, hold their ground and never run.

According to the city, people should make themselves appear larger and shout and/or clap, and they should make sure the coyote "sees them as a human being and not its next meal."

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