Coyote attacks 2-year-old in Port Coquitlam, B.C.
B.C. conservation officers are investigating after a two-year-old child was attacked by a coyote in a park in Port Coquitlam Wednesday night.
Police received a flurry of calls from people at the Lions Park playground, where they spotted the coyote.
“Police officers were told that the coyote was being aggressive towards people, especially children, in around a playground area,” said Cpl. Alexa Hodgins.
She said police officers arrived on scene at about 7:30 p.m. and were the first ones there because conservation officers were busy attending to another matter in Chilliwack.
Officers were at the park around the time when the coyote bit the toddler, Hodgins said.
The child was taken to hospital with minor injuries, she added.
Officers were able to quickly find the coyote, shooting and killing it.
“Police just happened to be in the right place at the right time to prevent any further injuries from occurring or any further attacks,” she said.
Conservation officers patrolled the park and did not see any other coyotes, according to the service.
An examination was conducted the next day and found the animal to be a healthy adult male.
“We have conducted a necropsy of the coyote and found evidence of feeding on unnatural food sources. We strongly urge people to not feed dangerous wildlife,” Sgt. Todd Hunter told CTV News.
What the animal ate and how it got the food is now part of the investigation.
Hunter explained the playground is in the same vicinity as a travel corridor for coyotes, cougars and bears. Thus, it is important to be vigilant, especially during the times when wildlife are most active.
“Dawn and dusk are when they're looking for food. That's what brings people to the park in the first place; it's nice so they're going to the park and enjoy it. Unfortunately, that's when food has been left out,” he said.
Officers are now working with the city of Port Coquitlam on "public outreach, including signage and patrols."
The service also urged people to take precautions in case of coyote encounters, including keeping pets on leash and travelling in groups.
Encounters with coyotes can be reported to the provincial Report All Poachers and Polluters (RAPP) line at 877-952-7277, the BCCOS said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
BREAKING Police cordon off Iran consulate in Paris where man threatens to blow himself up: French media
French police cordoned off the Iranian consulate in Paris on Friday, where a man was threatening to blow himself up, Europe 1 radio and BFM TV.
Some Canadian families will receive up to $620 per child today
More money will land in the pockets of some Canadian families on Friday for the latest Canada Child Benefit installment.
BREAKING Iran fires at apparent Israeli attack drones near Isfahan air base and nuclear site
An apparent Israeli drone attack on Iran saw troops fire air defences at a major air base and a nuclear site early Friday morning near the central city of Isfahan, an assault coming in retaliation for Tehran's unprecedented drone-and-missile assault on the country.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Ottawa to force banks to call carbon rebate a carbon rebate in direct deposits
Canadian banks that refuse to identify the carbon rebate by name when doing direct deposits are forcing the government to change the law to make them do it, says Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault.
Ontario woman loses $15,000 to fake Walmart job scam
A woman who recently moved to Canada from India was searching for a job when she got caught in an online job scam and lost $15,000.
After COVID, WHO defines disease spread 'through air'
The World Health Organization and around 500 experts have agreed for the first time on what it means for a disease to spread through the air, in a bid to avoid the confusion early in the COVID-19 pandemic that some scientists have said cost lives.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.