A two-year-old boy has been seriously injured after being attacked by a coyote at a playground in Whitby, Ontario, raising fresh concerns about aggressive coyote activity in the community. The incident is the second attack involving a young child in Whitby within the past two weeks.
According to Durham Regional Police, the attack occurred Sunday evening at Vanier Park when a coyote suddenly approached the child and bit him in the face. The boy’s guardian and nearby bystanders quickly intervened, driving the animal away before emergency responders arrived. The child was taken to hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.
Less than an hour after the incident, police responded to another report of a distressed coyote in the same area. Officers safely removed the animal, and investigators are working to determine whether it was the same coyote involved in the attack.
The latest incident follows another coyote attack on a toddler in Whitby on June 22, prompting renewed calls for increased public awareness and wildlife management. Similar encounters have also been reported in neighbouring communities, raising concerns among residents.
Wildlife experts say coyote attacks on humans are rare but can occur when the animals become habituated to people or are protecting their young. They advise residents to supervise children closely, keep pets on leashes, avoid feeding wildlife, and report aggressive coyotes immediately to local authorities.
Police and municipal officials continue to monitor the situation and are urging the public to remain vigilant while visiting parks, trails, and other green spaces. The investigation into the attack is ongoing as authorities work to prevent similar incidents in the future.