Coyote euthanized after two children mauled in North Kildonan area

A coyote believed to have attacked two children in less than a week has been found and euthanized.

Manitoba Natural Resources and Northern Development say an adult coyote was located on Monday and humanely euthanized as part of efforts by the Manitoba Conservation Officer Service to respond to recent coyote attacks in the North Kildonan area of Winnipeg. It has since been sent for testing.

Conservation officers, with assistance from the Manitoba Trappers Association, will remain in the area over the next while to identify and remove any other aggressive wildlife threats.

While the province says coyote attacks are extremely rare, they are reminding Winnipeggers to take every precaution to protect the public and prevent future incidents. 

They say it is important that people be on guard, supervise children closely, feed pets indoors, keep animals on a leash and reduce attractants. Coyotes are attracted to food and food waste in yards, such as fallen fruit, pet food, bird seed and garbage.

The province says it is important to never feed wildlife. Making food available to coyotes, either directly or indirectly (through feeding prey such as birds and rabbits), may attract coyotes and other predators to an area. Coyotes that have been fed by people will become increasingly comfortable approaching people and increasingly aggressive.

If a coyote is seen, people are encouraged to make noise, do what they can to appear large, stay in a group, and not run as that might incite a chase. 

Both children involved in the attacks are home recovering.