TorontoToday received the following letter to the editor from reader Lia Laskaris, the chief executive officer of the Animal Alliance of Canada.
The Animal Alliance of Canada is an organization with close to 40 years of experience working on human and wildlife issues.
We’ve seen again and again how easy it is for wild animals to be demonized when conflicts arise. Living in close proximity with wild animals in densely populated areas like Liberty Village presents challenges for us and for the coyotes too.
But there is no evidence that removing or killing the animals resolves conflicts with humans. In fact, with some species we see just the opposite — killing perpetuates more killing in a repetitive cycle because removing coyotes creates an opportunity for others to move in.
It’s a far better use of community resources to seek out and stop all feeding of coyotes, whether intentional or unintentional.
Dogs must be prevented from chasing and harassing coyotes. This requires dogs to be leashed.
Residents can learn hazing techniques which are the most effective method to retrain coyotes to avoid human contact.
These actions are the best use of city resources and lead to long-term solutions. Negative interactions with coyotes will surely persist if we do not correct our own behaviour.
We’ve seen wild animals vilified when conflicts emerge far too often. Regardless of which animal species is involved, fear and anger is directed at wild animals, placing pressure on community leaders to respond.
But decisions made in response to fear — that are not supported by knowledge and experience — do not provide long-term solutions and are not good public policy.
Council members and city staff are being pressured by residents who are understandably concerned about negative encounters, including the killing of pet animals.
We sympathize with those who have experienced the distress of seeing their dogs attacked and even killed, and we understand why there is fear in response to much-loved companions being harmed. But the antidote to any fear is education and action based on sound evidence.
It’s clear that two centuries of killing coyotes has not resolved the concerns people have about them.
The Animal Alliance of Canada strongly supports the position of those who oppose the use of lethal means to remove coyotes.
We urge community residents to learn how to protect the dogs in their care by never allowing their dogs to run off-leash except in designated areas, avoiding walking dogs in areas where coyotes are known to be and learning hazing techniques.
Hazing is easy to learn and is the best way to re-establish appropriate boundaries among humans, dogs and coyotes.
Lia Laskaris
Toronto
