Saskatoon residents in Hampton Village, Rosewood, and in the area of Sutherland Dog Park will notice new coyote activity awareness signs that were posted by the city of Saskatoon. This is because reports of coyote activity are up from last year, and a couple of the animals from the Saskatoon area tested positive for Canine Distemper in March. Conservation Officer Chris Maier says domestic dogs are also susceptible to Distemper, and proper precautions should be taken, especially if the areas with high coyote activity are frequented. Dog owners should vaccinate their pets as they could be susceptible to Distemper and Parvo.
On the chance that a coyote is spotted, Maier says anyone that encounters it should keep their distance, make noise, and do not feed them, as food gives them reason to continue making appearances. With the warm weather approaching, Maier suspects the city will become busier and the coyotes will keep to themselves a bit more than they have been.