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CBC
6 days ago
- General
- CBC
Coyote sightings in Waterloo, Guelph prompt safety reminders from city officials
Two coyote sightings in Waterloo region and Guelph this week have officials reminding residents how to stay safe in case they come across one in their backyard or out in the wilderness. In Waterloo on Tuesday, a coyote and her pups were sighted on the GeoTime trail in Vista Hills. That coyote had a brief altercation with a Waterloo resident and their dog but no injuries were reported. City of Waterloo officials told CBC News in an email that park staff closed the section of the trail where the coyote interaction happened as a precautionary measure. The same evening, the University of Guelph reported a coyote sighting near the west side of the University Centre on campus. The school said in a post on its website the coyote was not aggressive and there was no reason to believe it posed a major safety risk. Both the city of Waterloo and University of Guelph websites tell residents that coyotes will typically avoid humans if they are left alone. Waterloo's website outlines ways to avoid conflict with a coyote during seasons where they're more prominent. In general, city parks officials follow the Ministry of Natural Resources guidelines. Most coyotes will ignore or avoid humans. Waterloo's city parks website said "like all urban wildlife, they're looking for food, water and shelter." If a coyote is nearby or approaching a populated area, they suggest the following: Do not approach. Be big and loud, stand tall, wave your arms, shout (but don't scream), clap your hands, bang pots and pans and make a lot of noise. Keep pets on a leash. Slowly back away. Do not turn your back or run as that can trigger a chase instinct. Do not leave food waste in park garbage cans so as to not attract coyotes. Carry a flashlight on public trails. Report any aggressive, sick or injured coyote.
CTV News
27-05-2025
- General
- CTV News
Coyote altercation reported in City of Waterloo
A coyote is seen in this file image. (Pexels) The City of Waterloo is warning residents to be careful after an interaction was reported involving a coyote. In a social media post on Tuesday, the city said the altercation was between a coyote and her pups and a resident with a dog. The city did not say when the incident happened or if the resident or their dog were injured. The incident happened on the GeoTime Trail in Vista Hills. Residents were asked to exercise extra caution and keep their dogs on a leash. According to the provincial government's website, coyotes are typically wary of humans but they have been known to kill small, unattended dogs. Diseases and parasites carried by coyotes can also pose a risk to pets. The website recommends keeping dogs on a leash, carrying a flashlight to scare off coyotes at night and never letting dogs chase after a coyote. If anyone encounters the animals, they are encouraged to keep their distance. If the coyote appears to be aggressive, residents should never turn their back to it, try to appear as tall as possible and make lots of noise while backing away.
CBC
16-05-2025
- General
- CBC
What's open and what's closed in Waterloo region this Victoria Day long weekend
It's the Victoria Day long weekend and that means some businesses and services may be closed or have altered hours due to Monday being a holiday. Garbage, recycling, green bin and yard waste collection will not be affected by the holiday on Monday. Regular collection will take place and people are reminded to have their items to the curb by 7 a.m. Transfer stations for residential drop-offs in Cambridge and Waterloo will be closed on Monday. Grand River Transit will operate on a holiday service schedule although customer service locations will be closed. There are fireworks Sunday night in New Dundee as part of a community event. When people can set off personal fireworks depends on bylaws in each municipality. A full list of the rules for local municipalities can be found below. The City of Waterloo reminded people fireworks must be used on private property and not in public spaces including on the street, schools or parks. "The city encourages residents to be mindful of how fireworks can impact neighbours and wildlife," the city said in a release. "If planning to use fireworks, consider notifying neighbours in advance, as the noise can disturb pets, children, those with different work schedules or individuals sensitive to loud sounds." What's open on Monday Region of Waterloo's Service First contact centre, reachable at 519-575-4400. Ken Seiling Waterloo Region Museum from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Schneider Haus National Historic Site in Kitchener from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. McDougall Cottage Historic Site in Cambridge from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. Cambridge pools: W.G. Johnson Centre and John Dolson Centre from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Kitchener's Forest Heights Pool from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Kitchener splash pads are open for the season. Doon Valley and Rockway golf courses in Kitchener. Activa Sportsplex Arena in Kitchener from 8 a.m. to 4p.m. Lyle S. Hallman walking track from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. The Aud for scheduled rentals. Budd Park sports fields, diamonds, and indoor soccer facility for scheduled rentals. What's closed on Monday All regional administrative offices. This includes 99 Regina St. S. in Waterloo, 150 Frederick St. in Kitchener, 150 Main St. in Cambridge, airport administrative, and home child care offices. All library branches are closed. Municipal offices in the cities and townships. Sunnyside Seniors' Services and Sunnyside Wellness Centre. Community Alzheimer day programs in Kitchener, Cambridge and Waterloo, although overnight stay is open. Welcome Spaces at 99 Regina St. S. in Waterloo, 20 Weber St. E. in Kitchener, and 150 Main St. in Cambridge. Cambridge community centres: Ted Wake Centre, David Durward Centre, William E. Pautler, Allan Reuter Centre. Cambridge Centre for the Arts. Cambridge arenas: Duncan McIntosh, Dickson Centre, Galt Arena, Karl Homuth, Hespeler Memorial. All Kitchener community centres. Kitchener's Don McLaren, Grand River, Lions and Sportsworld arenas. All Kitchener pools will be closed except for Forest Heights Pool. Waterloo community centres: Albert McCormick, Moses Springer, Waterloo Memorial Recreation Complex and Swimplex and the community pavilion. Bechtel Park in Waterloo. RIM Park in Waterloo. Rules around personal use of fireworks There are different rules around the personal use of fireworks depending on where you live: Cambridge: Private fireworks displays are permitted until 11:59 p.m. on Victoria Day, Canada Day and Diwali. In the case of inclement weather, people are allowed to set off fireworks on any day within two days after those holidays. Kitchener: Council recently amended the city's bylaw to only permit personal firework displays on three holidays: Victoria Day, Canada Day and Diwali. Fireworks can only be set off on privately owned property between 9 p.m. and 11 p.m. on Victoria Day and Canada Day, and between 8 and 10 p.m. on Diwali. Waterloo: Personal fireworks are permitted between dusk and 11 p.m. on Victoria Day, Canada Day, Lunar New Year and Diwali as well as the day immediately before and after each of those holidays. North Dumfries Township: Private fireworks are permitted on Victoria Day and Canada Day, as well as one day before and after those two holidays. All fireworks displays must be completed no later than 10:15 p.m. Wellesley Township: Low-hazard fireworks are allowed on Victoria Day, Civic Holiday and Labour Day on any of the three days during those long weekends. They can also be set off on Canada Day, as well as on the day before and after. Wilmot Township: Fireworks are permitted on Victoria Day and Canada Day, as well as the days immediately before and after those holidays. Woolwich Township: Private fireworks displays are permitted using consumer fireworks. Guelph: Fireworks are permitted the day before and on the day of Victoria Day and Canada Day. They're also allowed on Diwali and other religious events as approved by the Guelph Fire Department. They can be set off between 9 a.m. and 11:59 p.m. Guelph/Eramosa Township: Does not currently have a fireworks bylaw, but the township's website says the fire department "does not recommend family fireworks or informal neighbourhood displays. Public firework displays hosted by a responsible organization are a safer alternative." Centre Wellington Township: Fireworks are permitted on Victoria Day and Canada Day. Brant County: Recently changed its bylaw so family fireworks can only be set off on Victoria Day and Canada Day, as well as the three days before and three days after those holidays. Outside those days, the fire chief needs to approve a permit. People who are caught not following the bylaw of their municipality around private fireworks displays can be given a ticket. Some of the bylaws say how much it could be for, such as North Dumfries which says fines can range up to $5,000. Others, like Wellesley, say the fine is determined upon conviction.
