Français
Categories
    • Heritage and History
    • Libraries
    • Parks and Nature
    • Shows and Exhibitions
    • Sports and Recreation
    • City Vendors
    • Funding and Assistance
    • Innovation and Research
    • Permits and Authorizations
    • Sectors of Development
    • Accessibility
    • Diversity
    • Neighbourhood Life
    • Prevention and Social Action
    • Air Quality
    • Ecological Transition
    • Soil Quality
    • Trees and Gardens
    • Waste and Recycling
    • Water and Waterworks
    • Disaster Risks
    • Police and Firefighters
    • Public Health
    • Sanitation and Nuisances
    • Buying and Selling a Home
    • Homes
    • Outdoor Development and Maintenance
    • Renovation and Construction
    • Cleanliness
    • Construction and Street Closings
    • Snow Removal
    • Travel and Transportation
    • Administration
    • Awards and Distinctions
    • Boroughs
    • Budget and Financial Profile
    • City Hall and Elected Officials
    • Jobs
    • Organizations and councils
    • Publications and Data
    • Pets
    • Wildlife
    • Public Consultations
    • Resident Initiatives
    • Rights and Recourses
    • Municipal Taxes
    • Property Assessment
    • Inspections and Prevention
    • Municipal Court
    • Heritage and Place Names
    • Urban Design
    • Urban Projects
Services
  • Points of Service
  • Parks
  • Libraries
  • Ecocentres
  • Municipal Arts Centres
  • Sports Facilities
Calendar
  • All Events
  • Councils and Committee
  • Public Consultations
Contact Us
  • Administration
  • The Mayor
  • Elected Official
  • Media Relations
311
  • Report a Problem
  • File a Claim
  • News feed
  • My services
  • My requests
  • My tasks
  • My profile
  • My account settings
  • My notification preferences
  • Services
  • Applications and Requests
  • Tasks
  • Activity log
  • Members
  • Information
  1. Accueil
  2. Topics

What to do if you encounter a coyote

Last updated March 25, 2019
RelatedWildlife

Have you seen what you suspect is a coyote? What should you do? In general, coyotes do not pose a threat to human safety, provided that certain guidelines are observed. In particular, it’s important never to feed a coyote. Learn more about what to do if you should encounter a coyote.

Recognizing a coyote

A coyote may be mistaken for a fox or certain canine breeds. Here is how to recognize a coyote.

Crédit photo : Ecomuseum
EcomuseumEcomuseum

Physical features

  • Size: The coyote is taller than a fox and is about the size of a German shepherd. Coyotes are taller than knee height, unlike foxes.
  • Fur: Usually grey, while foxes are often red.
  • Tip of the tail: Usually black for coyotes and white for foxes.
  • Paws: A coyote’s paws are usually grey, like its fur. A fox’s front paws are black.
Différence entre un renard un chien et un coyote

If you see what you suspect is a coyote, please report it to us.

Your sightings help us manage coyotes in urban environments.

Responsible actions for improved coexistence

At all times

  • It is strictly forbidden to feed coyotes and other wild animals, except stray cats under the TNRM program.
  • Never approach a wild animal, even if it is injured.
  • Avoid feeding domestic animals outdoors.
  • Keep your household garbage in animal-resistant bins.
  • Keep your dog on a leash and only walk on marked trails.
  • Keep your cat indoors, particularly at night.
  • Pick up fruit that has fallen from trees, as it is a food source for coyotes.
  • Block access to your property, balcony, shed and garden.

Any time you encounter a coyote

  • Stay calm.
  • Give the coyote the space it needs to move away.
  • Never let your dog interact with a coyote.
  • Keep your dog close or carry your dog in your arms.
  • Move away, but never turn your back on the coyote.
  • Always maintain visual contact with the coyote.
  • Do not run.

If the coyote does not leave

  • Make yourself bigger by raising your arms, making noise or yelling to scare the coyote.
  • Throw objects in the coyote’s direction, without targeting the coyote directly so as not to make it more aggressive.
  • Contact 911 in the event of an emergency.

For more about birds and other wild animals, visit the birds and other wild animals page.

Information and services

Borough
Select your borough and get customized information.

No borough selected.

How-tos

  • Report a coyote
  • Report a dead animal on city property
  • Report an animal that is injured or in danger

How-tos

  • Report a coyote
  • Report a dead animal on city property
  • Report an animal that is injured or in danger

How-tos

  • Report a coyote
  • Report a dead animal on city property
  • Report an animal that is injured or in danger

How-tos

  • Report a coyote
  • Report a dead animal on city property
  • Report an animal that is injured or in danger

How-tos

  • Report a coyote
  • Report a dead animal on city property
  • Report an animal that is injured or in danger

How-tos

  • Report a coyote
  • Report a dead animal on city property
  • Report an animal that is injured or in danger

How-tos

  • Report a coyote
  • Report a dead animal on city property
  • Report an animal that is injured or in danger

How-tos

  • Report a coyote
  • Report a dead animal on city property
  • Report an animal that is injured or in danger

How-tos

  • Report a coyote
  • Report a dead animal on city property
  • Report an animal that is injured or in danger

How-tos

  • Report a coyote
  • Report a dead animal on city property
  • Report an animal that is injured or in danger

How-tos

  • Report a coyote
  • Report a dead animal on city property
  • Report an animal that is injured or in danger

How-tos

  • Report a coyote
  • Report a dead animal on city property
  • Report an animal that is injured or in danger

How-tos

  • Report a coyote
  • Report a dead animal on city property
  • Report an animal that is injured or in danger

How-tos

  • Report a coyote
  • Report a dead animal on city property
  • Report an animal that is injured or in danger

How-tos

  • Report a coyote
  • Report a dead animal on city property
  • Report an animal that is injured or in danger

How-tos

  • Report a coyote
  • Report a dead animal on city property
  • Report an animal that is injured or in danger

How-tos

  • Report a coyote
  • Report a dead animal on city property
  • Report an animal that is injured or in danger

How-tos

  • Report a coyote
  • Report a dead animal on city property
  • Report an animal that is injured or in danger

How-tos

  • Report a coyote
  • Report a dead animal on city property
  • Report an animal that is injured or in danger
Select a borough
  • Ahuntsic-Cartierville
  • Anjou
  • Côte-des-Neiges–Notre-Dame-de-Grâce
  • Lachine
  • LaSalle
  • Le Plateau-Mont-Royal
  • Le Sud-Ouest
  • L'Île-Bizard–Sainte-Geneviève
  • Mercier–Hochelaga-Maisonneuve
  • Montréal-Nord
  • Outremont
  • Pierrefonds-Roxboro
  • Rivière-des-Prairies–Pointe-aux-Trembles
  • Rosemont–La Petite-Patrie
  • Saint-Laurent
  • Saint-Léonard
  • Verdun
  • Ville-Marie
  • Villeray–Saint-Michel–Parc-Extension

Did you find what you need?

Help us make our site better.

Please explain what could be improved.

will become your favourite borough.

Emergency measures

COVID-19

Montréal is at the maximum alert level. Curfew in effect from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m.
Stay informed
Back to top
My account
  • About my Account
  • Create an Account
  • Notices and Alerts
Contact us
  • Contact the City
  • Report a Problem
Work with us
  • Call for Bids
  • City Vendors (in French)
  • Jobs
Visiting Montréal
  • City Hall
  • MTLWiFi
  • Tourisme Montréal
About us
  • Logo and Visibility Standards
  • Medias
  • Montréal Charter of Rights and Responsibilities
  • News Releases
  • Public Notices
Follow us
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • Youtube
Boroughs
Boroughs
  • Ahuntsic-Cartierville (in French)
  • Anjou (in French)
  • Côte-des-Neiges–Notre-Dame-de-Grâce
  • L'Île-Bizard–Sainte-Geneviève
  • Lachine
  • LaSalle
  • Le Plateau-Mont-Royal (in French)
  • Le Sud-Ouest (in French)
  • Mercier–Hochelaga-Maisonneuve (in French)
  • Montréal-Nord (in French)
  • Outremont (in French)
  • Pierrefonds-Roxboro
  • Rivière-des-Prairies–Pointe-aux-Trembles (in French)
  • Rosemont–La Petite-Patrie (in French)
  • Saint-Laurent
  • Saint-Léonard (in French)
  • Verdun
  • Ville-Marie (in French)
  • Villeray–Saint-Michel–Parc-Extension (in French)
  • Accessibility
  • Privacy
  • Legal notice
Français