Close call for Sandstone woman after coyote attack in city’s north-end

A warning about an aggressive coyote in the city’s north end after reported a second attack in less than a month.

The latest individual was Barbara Gelhar who was walking her 11 year old German Shepherd Misha Wednesday along the pathway parallel to Beddington Trail, between Country Hills and Harvest Hills blvd.

Gelhar and Misha didn’t notice until last minute a coyote come and approach them from behind, baring its teeth.

“It kind of came out from now where behind some grasses,” she told 660 NEWS. “The dog was bitten in the hind quarters by the coyote and then the coyote circled around, even though I was holding my dog and she wanted to give chase. The coyote sort of stood about six feet from us and started showing its Wile E. Coyote teeth and the lips and everything.”

“I said a whole lot of bad words at a high volume,” she laughed. “People were on the Country Hills Golf Course and they were yelling too, luckily there was a couple coming along with their little dog and the gentleman had sort of an old hockey stick which he was using as a walking stick and he came running up and chased the coyote sort of down further along, we couldn’t see it anymore, but it was kind of a scary experience.”

“I don’t think I’m ever going to go back down there again. I’ve walked there for 15 years with various animals that I’ve had and I think those days are over.”

Gelhar says Misha rose to the occasion, she was left with a puncture wound on her leg, she also has a $200 vet bill.

“She seems to be ok but nonetheless I’m kind of shaken,” said Gelhar.

She reported the situation to 311, who referred to her to the Calgary Police. They spent 45 minutes taking the complaint and then referred to her Alberta Fish and Wildlife.

After that she spoke with Alberta Fish and Wildlife who chalked it up to a denning coyote who said it was the city’s problem.

She’s been told by someone at the city they may place a sign up to warn others.

Gelhar doesn’t want to see the animal destroyed but worries others could come across the same situation she did, as far as she knows it’s the second incident in the area in less than a month.

660 NEWS contacted Alberta Fish and Wildlife on Gelhar’s behalf and was assured they’re now looking into the situation.

Spokesperson Brendan Cox says an incident of an aggressive coyote is rare and if you come across one, you should become unpleasant in a bid to scare it away.

“Having a dog around does increase, it may increase the behaviour or reaction to you because they can be territorial because a dog is a competing species. If you are doing those things and the coyote continues to approach, back away slowly, don’t run and put obstacles between yourself and the animal.”

Cox says you should also call the report a poacher line, which is available 24 hours a day at 1-800-642-3800.

City official, Urban Conservation Lead with Calgary Parks Chris Manderson hadn’t heard about the specific complaint either but tells 660 NEWS he’ll be looking into it.

“We do work closely with Alberta Fish and Wildlife on wildlife management issues. The authority to manage wildlife is provincial, fish and wildlife officers have the authority to deal with animals so we always defer to them. What we do in the parks department with the city is certainly do things to make sure people are aware of these issues.”

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