The City of Ottawa is investigating after a teenager was attacked by several coyotes at Lalande Conservation Park in Orléans this week.
The mother of a 14-year-old boy says her son was attacked by three coyotes in the park. CTV News Ottawa has agreed not to share her identity over privacy concerns.
She says her son was biking home through the park at approximately 8:30 p.m. on Thursday when a coyote started charging at him without provocation. Two more then came from the side.
“One of them was clamped to his shoe and then the other one got to his leg,” she said.
“There was three of them, one was pretty big. He said it pretty much at his waist, and the other one a little bit smaller, and the other one a little bit smaller than that.”
She said he threw his bike and helmet at the coyotes to try to dislodge them from this leg but continued to be attacked. He managed to sprint away and climb on top a nearby rock.
After waiting a few minutes, he attempted to climb back down the rock to get his bike, but the animals continued to howl, growl and bark.
“He said it sounded like there were a dozen of them but really there was just three,” she said.
He eventually decided to sprint away from the scene as fast as he could, jumping down from the rock before jumping a fence to a nearby school.
“You have to pick me up. I was attacked. I was attacked,” she said her son told her when he called her after escaping.
She says he is now healing at home from injuries to his left leg, with scrapes and scratches from the back of the calf from the knee to the ankle. He was taken to CHEO where he was treated for rabies as a precaution.
She says the incident was shocking. Despite being aware of coyotes in the park, they never thought they could be dangerous.
“He was in shock that day, he couldn’t believe that happened,” she said.
“I think he’ll be fine, I think he’s got a lot of support around him, but I hope it doesn’t happen elsewhere because it could be different depending on who it is.”
Officials say coyote attacks against humans are extremely rare. Police are investigating two coyote attacks in Markham, Ont. last month.
City monitoring coyote den
The City of Ottawa says they have been monitoring a coyote den in the area and is advising residents to heed warning and restriction signage nearby.
“The area surrounding the coyote dens has been posted with warning signs for several weeks and was recently updated to include ‘No Public Entry’ signage,” Nick Stow, program manager of natural systems and strategic initiatives department, told said in a statement.
In a statement, Orléans South-Navan Ward Coun. Catherine Kitts said the “No Public Entry” signs were installed in mid-May. Kitts says the recent incident has changed the City of Ottawa’s assessment of the situation.
“Given the location of the den, there is considerable complexity and fluidity involved in developing the appropriate course of action moving forward, particularly when balancing public safety, wildlife management practices, and provincial regulations,” Kitts said.
“I have been advised that the City’s approach moving forward will be different in light of the reported incident. Multiple City departments are actively working together to assess the situation and develop an effective and coordinated response.”
Ottawa paramedics told CTV News Ottawa on Thursday that they had not received any recent calls for coyote-related injuries.
In April, Ottawa police put out a statement on social media advising of two “brazen coyotes” spotted near Lalande Conservation Park.
Stow says coyote sighting should be reported to 311, and residents should contact 911 if wildlife poses an immediate threat to public safety.
“If a wild animal scratches or bites and breaks the skin, Ottawa Public Health should be contacted,” Stow said.
According to Stow, residents should take the following precautions when encountered by aggressive wildlife:
- Never approach or attempt to touch the animal
- Do not turn your back or run from the animal
- Back away slowly while remaining calm
- Stand tall, wave your arms, and make loud noises
- Carry a flashlight when walking at night
Stow also says residents should avoid wooded areas, especially after dark.
