By Joel van der Veen
DAVIDSON — A coyote in your yard or on the doorstep might not be a welcome sight, but it shouldn’t be a cause for panic, according to a provincial conservation officer.
“Coyotes are more scared of humans than we are of them,” said Kevin Harrison, an officer based in Prince Albert, adding that the animals “tend to keep their distance.”
That said, Harrison added that anyone who encounters a coyote should not try to approach it or feed it, but should back away slowly, without running or turning their back.
His advice was echoed by local pest control provider Lee Storey, who said that despite the animals’ timidity towards humans, they do present some risk.
“It is dangerous, there’s no doubt about it,” said Storey. “A wild animal isn’t a good thing to have around at any time.”
In recent weeks, several Davidson residents have reported seeing coyotes wandering down streets or sidewalks and even venturing into their yards.
Carla Shaw spotted one walking toward her house on Olds Place on Feb. 18, around 1 p.m.
“It just wandered up and was pacing our driveway,” she said, adding that the coyote didn’t react when her husband Jared walked outside. “It wasn’t scared of anyone.”
Shannon Tomyn, who was visiting the Shaws at the time, said the coyote was looking at them through the front window and at one point approached the front steps, but then backed down and wandered away after a few minutes.
Tomyn said the animal was acting strange and didn’t look altogether well. Shaw said it was roughly the size of a medium or large dog, adding that she had seen foxes a few times before, but never a coyote.
She said the experience left her somewhat concerned for the safety of her children, who often play in the yard.
“We have a fenced-in yard,” said Shaw, “but they get out, for sure, and play in the front.”
Earlier that same day, Carla’s mother-in-law, Margo Shaw, said she saw a coyote walking along the sidewalk in front of her house on Lincoln Street.
She said the “big guy” walked up the driveway of their neighbours to the east, then around in front of the Shaw house. After that it headed off through the Cool and Merkosky yards towards Second Street.
“If you’re like me, you don’t want to be walking around if they’re out there,” said Margo, who called the town office to report the sighting.
Administrator Gary Edom said he had previously received another call from a local resident who reported seeing three of the animals in a neighbour’s yard. Edom then put out a call to Lee Storey.
For the full story, please see the Feb. 29 edition of The Davidson Leader.