Winnipeg dog club left on high alert after coyote scare

A Winnipeg dog club is warning its members to be careful after a coyotescare in Kilcona Park Fridaynight.

Kilcona Park Dog Club president Donna Henry sent an email out Saturday morning warning the club's members about the coyotes.

Henry said a group of four to six coyotes started following a man near the park's off-leash play area.

She said when the man first saw the coyotes he thought they were dogs but knew something wasn't right when no owner showed up.

The man had to protect his two poodlesand scare the coyotes away.

"The alarming part is that it's so close to the most heavily used part of the off-leash area, the play area, where people and dogs gather in the greatest numbers," Henry said.

Henry said the coyote sighting is concerning because the animals prey on small dogs.

The Manitoba Wildlife Branch says coyotes are most active at night when they are searching for food and defending their territory from other coyotes.