Roaming coyotes have long been an issue in the late winter and early spring along the northern part of Orléans in neighbourhoods like Chatelaine Village and Orléans where they can often by sighted near the Ottawa River around the walking and bike paths.
Rural parts of Cumberland often have their fair share of coyote sightings at this time of year.
Now they have infiltrated into Avalon where recent sightings of a pair of coyotes near Scala Park and Rancourt Park have area residents on edge.
“I’ve seen them three or four times just in the past week,” says St. Bruno Street resident Joanne Ouellette who want to make her neighbours aware that the coyotes are in their midst.
Ouellette called 3-1-1 but was told there was little they could do about it. They also told her that if she ever felt in danger she should call 9-1-1.
Coyotes have also been spotted in other parts of the city including Kanata and
Greely.
The city’s Wildlife Resource Officer, Dom Ferland, says that in general, coyotes do their best to avoid people. That said it does happen occasionally that coyotes and humans come face to face.
If and when that happens Ferland suggests that A) you do not turn your back on the animal or animals, and B) don’t try to run away. Instead you should make your self as large and loud as possible. In most cases this shall run them off.
Children should be taught to react in the same way, and to let you know immediately if they see a coyote. To avoid close encounters at night, carry a flashlight and avoid walking in wooded areas. It is also advisable to carry a whistle to help scare them off.
Dog and cat owners should be especially wareful of coyotes in the area. Dogs should be kept on a leash at night and cats should never be let outside on their own, at least until the coyotes have moved on.
If you insist on walking your dog without a leash, be sure to maintain a direct line of sight at all times.
There have been cases where small dogs being killed by coyotes in the past, but the incidents have been few and far between.
There are several reasons why coyotes venture into neighbourhoods like Avalon. One of the main reasons is for food. Avalon has a very high population of rabbits and field mice. Coyotes are also more active during their mating season which is in January and February.
Coyotes also tend to use abandon railroad tracks, hiking trails and bike paths to make it easier to get from point A to point B. And they tend to be attracted to parks and ravines to make their dens.
According to the City’s records there were 644 coyote sightings in 2024 and 650 sightings in 2025..
JEFF LEIPER LISTENING TOUR stop from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Stray Dog Brewing Company, 501 Lacolle Way. Come out and share ideas, raise concerns, and talk about the issues with mayoralty canddiate Jeff Leiper.
TRIVIA NIGHT from 7:30 p.m. every Tuesday night at the Royal Oak Pub Orléans. Free to play. Prizes for the winning team! The Royal Oak Pub is located at 1981 St. Joseph Blvd. near Jeanne d'Arc. For more info visit 
TRIVIA NIGHT from 6:30 p.m. at the Stray Dog Brewing Company. Exercise your grey matter before it turns to mush over the holidays. Reservations are a must to secure your spot. Send your team name and number of people to info@straydogbrewing.ca. The Stray Dog Brewing Company is located at 501 Lacolle Way in the Taylor Creek Business Park.
OPEN MIC NIGHT upstairs at the Orléans Legion, 800 Taylor Creek Dr. starting at 7 p.m. Singing, comeday, poetry and more. All level of talent welcomne. Sign up at the door. Bring some friends and have some fun.
MOTHER'S DAY TEA PARTY hosted by the Rotary Club of Orléans from 12 noon to 2 p.m. in the basement of Paroisse St-Joseph, 2757 St-Joseph Blvd. Tickets $50, $20 for children 5-12. Best fascinator contest. For more information, please contact Director of Fundraising Mashooda Syed at 613-255-0870. Money raised will go to the Columbia Learning Centre the Corner of Knowledge.
