A recent attack on a woman walking her dogs by a group of coyotes is a reminder there are wild animals within city limits and we should act accordingly.
Over the weekend the Kamloops woman was walking her and her friend’s dogs in Aberdeen when several coyotes approached them, biting one of the dogs as well as biting her friend.
Vanessa Isnardy from WildSafeBC said while on the NL Morning News, we should keep our dogs leashed and keep our wits about us.
“So, in general we need to assume when we’re going on trails, nature trails, that we’re going to encounter wild life and having a dog off leash and not in our control puts ourselves and the dog at risk,” she said, noting that being prepared is paramount.
“So, to avoid conflicts with wildlife, we recommend always keeping your dog either on a leash or under strict control knowing that they have excellent recall, making sure they’re not being chased or engaged with wildlife and also to carry bear spray.”
She notes that bear spray is safe and easy to use, it is readily available, and there are details available on the WildSafeBC website.
“We can even put on training courses, you can contact the Kamloops coordinator to get more information on getting a workshop done,” Isnardy added.
As far as children, Isnardy says she thinks it’s a good idea to talk to them about best practices when they encounter wildlife. She had very important advice for both children and adults, telling people the most important thing to remember is not to run.
“It is an instinct for us to run away from a threat but it can actually trigger an attack so it’s really important to teach our children that if you encounter a bear, a cougar, a coyote or even a wolf you have to stop and back away slowly,” she added.
“It’s really important that you do not run because that can trigger a chase or potentially an attack.”
Isnardy says if you do have a negative encounter with a wild animal you should report it to the conservation office service and she says if you’re on Facebook, the WildSafeBC Kamloops page is updated regularly with any wildlife sightings.
