Submitted by Greg Kruger
Sergeant | Columbia-Kootenay Zone | Invermere
BC Conservation Officer Service
During the third week of January, a resident of Radium Hot Springs was walking their dog in the north part of town along a trail in the Sinclair Creek valley. A couple coyotes approached to close proximity of the dog. The owner was able to secure the dog and walk away from the coyotes towards a main road where the coyotes then stopped following.
On Jan. 25, an individual walking their dog on the Lake Windermere Whiteway near Windermere Beach was approached by a lone coyote. The dog owner called the dog back and put it on a leash and proceeded to walk back to shore. The coyote followed for a short time a then continued wandering along the lake ice.
Also on Jan. 25, a dog walker was again approached by a coyote on Lake Windermere that started “lunging” at her larger-sized dog. The coyote kept following as they attempted to move away from it. A vehicle drove over after the driver witnessed this coyote encounter and intervened by driving between the coyote and the dog walker. The dog walker and dog were loaded into this vehicle and driven away from the coyote.
The Conservation Officer Service recommends: The public report any events involving wildlife that are a public safety concern. Use the 24/7 RAPP [Report all Poachers and Polluters] line @ 1-877-952-7277.
If you encounter a coyote that is aggressive towards you or domestic animal do not run away as this may trigger it to attack.
Back away slowly and speak in a loud and firm voice. Carry a sturdy walking stick or bear spray and should a coyote come close enough, then be prepared to use them.
Should a coyote attack, fight back with whatever is at your disposal to stop it [punches, kicks, throw rocks, hit with stick or rocks, spray with bear spray].
Coyotes showing aggression towards people is very rare. Most times, there is a domestic animal involved where the coyote may test to see if it could be a possible food source. Coyotes will become habituated to people and our communities if they are fed or find food sources.
On Lake Windermere, this coyote may have been intentionally fed by someone, or has found a food source from human garbage or discarded fish from ice-fishers.
