Coyote action plan approved by city amid spike in downtown attacks

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The City of Toronto is moving forward with its Downtown Coyote Action Plan, which one councillor said offers “clearer protocols and resources” for staff to respond to incidents that have plagued residents in parts of Spadina-Fort York.

Deputy Mayor Ausma Malik, who represents Ward 10, said in a statement on her website that the decision Tuesday by the economic and community development committee will allow the city to respond to aggressive coyotes “without delay – in a targeted and responsive way.”

“These are important new recommendations,” Malik said. “And I know more can be done to strengthen the Downtown Coyote Action Plan and ultimately push forward a resolution.”

“While I am encouraged to have this framework move forward, I continue to look for immediate action in our community,” she added.

The action plan follows reports of numerous attacks in Liberty Village and surrounding neighbourhoods, specifically Stanley Park, a coyote “hot spot” where residents say at least five dogs have been killed and several people have been injured recently by aggressive animals.

The city responded by posting “I am your coyote neighbour” signs that included facts about the animals, which were slammed as “absurd” and “embarrassing” by residents.

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The Downtown Coyote Action Plan has since been adopted to improve 311 reporting of coyote feeding and threatening animals – including “stalking, snarling or other observed aggressive behaviours” – and allow for expert consultation on a possible reproductive control plan for Ward 10.

Malik has blamed the province for the “unprecedented” increase in coyote attacks due to the destruction of habitat during renovations at Ontario Place. The Ministry of Natural Resources, however, has denied that any coyotes have been displaced by construction in the area.

The Downtown Coyote Action Plan also calls on city staff to explore the possibility of higher set fines for feeding coyotes; explore additional preventive measures to deter coyotes from settling downtown, including “resources required for a dedicated wildlife staff team;” and establishing a “more pet-friendly approach” to minimizing interactions with wildlife.

“I also prioritized city staff keeping reliable and responsible channels for updates related to coyote incidents,” Malik said.

City staff is expected to update the committee in the third quarter of 2025 on implementation of the action plan as part of an updated coyote response strategy.