‘Very worrisome’: Coyote attack on child in Durham sparks renewed safety call

Durham Regional Police are urging parents to remain vigilant following a coyote attack on a toddler in Whitby, Ontario. The child was bitten by the animal in a public field near a wooded area on Monday and was subsequently taken to hospital, where he is in stable condition.

Since the beginning of 2025, police have documented approximately 50 reports involving coyotes, with five of these incidents being actual attacks. Authorities acknowledge that many encounters likely go unreported, and the number of complaints has remained relatively consistent over the past two years.

Kerry Bowman, a bioethicist and environmental studies lecturer at the University of Toronto, noted that it is difficult to pinpoint the exact cause of the recent attacks. He suggested a combination of factors, including people feeding coyotes, could be leading to the animals becoming accustomed to human presence.

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These children are quite young as well. So this is … very, very worrisome.

Bowman expressed significant concern, stating, "These children are quite young as well. So this is … very, very worrisome." He emphasized the potential for severe outcomes if a parent is not supervising a child closely. Bowman added that coyotes are increasingly visible in urban areas like the Greater Toronto Area, and cities must actively monitor the situation, especially when children are involved. He stressed the importance of transparency, asserting, "Parents have a right to know if there’s a threat, and we need to know what the facts are."

Police advise residents to be cautious, particularly near wooded areas when walking with children or pets. Coyotes are most active at dawn and dusk and may act aggressively if they feel threatened. If an encounter occurs, people are advised to make themselves appear larger and make noise to deter the animal. Reports to police help track activity and allow for necessary alerts to municipal partners or animal services.

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Parents have a right to know if there’s a threat, and we need to know what the facts are.