Coyote sighting has Torbay woman frightened for others

A Torbay woman's encounter with a coyote has left her unsettled and frightened for other people in the area.

• Coyote spotted in residential Torbay area
• Coyote spotted in C.B.S. by RNC officer after coffee stop

AllysonRodgers spotted the animal, which she said was the size of a large dog,from her home onIndian Meal Line Tuesday morning.

Acoyote was coming out of the woods across the street from us.- AllysonRodgers

While it may have been interesting to see one, she saidit worries herto know they are livingso close to a residential area.

"Just happened to look out our main window and a coyote was coming out of the woods across the street from us, it came across the neighbours front lawn," Rodgers told CBC's St. John's Morning Show.

"It's kind of slightly disturbing when you think about how many small children are in the neighbourhood and a lot of people havesmall animals."

Facebookgroups have beenbusy with warnings, and numbers from the Newfoundland and Labrador government show an apparent rise in coyotesightings.

According to theDepartment of Environment and Conservation, there have been 32coyote sightings on the Avalon Peninsula reported since January, while there were only 58 reports for all of 2015.

"I do know that we've had one in our backyard because we've seen the paw prints," Rodgers said, adding she's heard of several recent sightings inTorbayand has seen others onsocial media.

Rodgers said this sighting is a reminder to be aware of her surroundings, but it hasn't really changed her behaviourother than not letting her dog outside alone.

"You see more now than ever it's better to be safe than sorry."

Know what to do

According to the provincial government's website, the coyote mating season occurs from February to March, and usually bearlitters with three to 12 pups in April or May.

The pups then leave their parents in the fall to establish their own territory.

You see more now than ever it's better to be safe than sorry.- AllysonRodgers

This could explain why sightings seem to haveincreased recently.

Although coyote attacks are rare, they can happen and people should know how to protect themselves.

Government advises anyone who encounters a coyoteshould neverrun, as thismay provoke the animal to chase and attack.

Instead, peopleshould try to scare it away by beingasbig and loud as possible, trying to intimidate itbywaving theirarms, clapping their hands, making loud noises or even throwing rocks.

While Rodgers was knew not to run, she said the other advice is good to know.

"I know you're not supposed to run and stand your ground," she said.

"My husband walks our dog a fair amount,I don't go anywhere by myself in terms of walking, we're a pretty noisy bunch."