Authorities are asking residents to stop feeding coyotes in Brampton

Municipal officials for the City of Brampton have recently started asking residents to stop leaving food for local wildlife.  

According to an official release, most of this activity has been occurring in northwest regions of the city over the summer season, specifically near Wanless Drive and Creditview Road.  Officials have noted that on several occasions, Brampton Animal Services have found ice, cat food, chicken wings and noodles left out to feed local coyotes.

Due to an increase in deliberate food placement, Brampton Animal Services has now had to increase its patrols in neighbourhoods throughout the city. 

Authorities have also indicated that feeding wild animals can lead to dangerous situations that can impact both animals and residents, beyond these risks, such activity is strictly prohibited by the city. 

According to official city correspondence, feeding wildlife intentionally or inadvertently can result in a fine of $350. 

As indicated by data provided by the city, for the first half of 2024, Animal Services officers have issued 25 penalty notices for feeding wildlife, resulting in  $8,750 in fines. The majority of these fines were distributed over the last three months — and in that time — 168 patrols have been conducted.

Out of these 168 patrols, 21 one of them required instances of aversion conditioning, where animal service personnel use various techniques to reinforce a fear of people in both foxes and coyotes.

“Feeding wildlife creates dangerous situations, as it encourages animals such as coyotes to lose their natural fear of humans, potentially leading to aggressive behaviour. This issue is even more critical during this time as it is coyote pupping season, and coyotes and their young are out more frequently searching for food,” said Mike Mulick, manager for Animal Services with the City of Brampton 

In the event of a coyote encounter, city officials urge residents to:

• Stay calm
• Do not run away
• Make yourself loud and large
• Call 9-1-1

For more information on animal bylaws in Brampton, more information can be found on the city’s official website.