Durham Regional Police say a coyote bit a two-year-old boy in the face during an unprovoked attack at a playground in Whitby, Ontario, on Sunday evening, the latest in a string of aggressive coyote encounters in the region this year.
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What happened at Vanier Park
Police say officers were called to assist paramedics at Vanier Park around 8:30 p.m. Sunday after a coyote entered the playground and bit the boy.
The child's guardian and nearby bystanders managed to scare the animal off before officers arrived.
Less than an hour later, a second coyote was found in distress in the same area. Police removed the animal, and no injuries were reported in connection with that incident.
Part of a wider pattern this year
Sunday's attack is not an isolated case. Three other children were hurt in separate coyote attacks in Whitby and Markham in May and June.
Officials describe aggressive coyote behaviour as rare, but say the recent string of incidents is being taken seriously.
What residents are being told to do
Authorities are urging people to stay alert near parks and trails, particularly around dawn and dusk, when coyotes are most active.
Residents are asked to:
- Keep pets leashed
- Supervise children closely in parks and green spaces
- Remove food attractants from yards and public areas
- Report sightings through Whitby's online coyote tracking tool
- Call 911 immediately if a coyote poses a direct threat
This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 7, 2026.
