A 2-year-old boy was bitten in the face by a coyote at Vanier Park in Whitby, Ontario on Sunday evening, July 5, 2026, and a second distressed coyote was removed by police just 50 minutes later.
Durham Regional Police Central West Division officers were called to the playground at 99 Vanier Street around 8:30 p.m. A coyote had entered the park and attacked the child. The boy’s guardian and several bystanders intervened and scared the animal away. The child suffered serious but non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to hospital.
At about 9:20 p.m., officers responded to a separate call near Harriet Street and Annes Street, where a different coyote was found in distress by residents. Police removed that animal, and no injuries were reported.
This is the second coyote attack on a child in Whitby in less than two weeks. On June 22, a toddler was bitten in a field near Coronation Road and Rossland Road and also hospitalized. The town has recorded 96 coyote sightings in the past 30 days.
Police are working with the Town of Whitby, Whitby Animal Services, and the Durham Region Health Department to monitor coyote activity and reduce future risks. Mayor Elizabeth Roy said coyote safety will be added to the agenda for the next Community Safety Roundtable, which brings together police, town staff, school boards, and other partners.
Residents are urged to supervise children closely near parks and trails, especially at dawn and dusk, keep pets leashed, and remove food attractants. Feeding coyotes is not allowed under the town’s Public Nuisance By-law. Report aggressive coyote behaviour immediately to animal services or call 9-1-1.
