Coyotes scavenging for food in Windsor caught on video

A Windsor man is concerned about coyotes roaming through city neighbourhoods.

Steven Castro on his way home to south Windsor last Friday when he was stopped by a coyote.

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"The coyote was actually right in the middle of the road," said Castro, who lives on Pioneer Avenue near North Talbot Road and Highway 401.

He pulled over and took a video of two coyotes coming a little too close for comfort.

"It didn't seem like they were very timid when I initially approached them with my car," he said. "In fact, they actually started to getting closer, almost right down to the curb."

Castro's concerned for his small dog and is warning neighbours to keep a close eye on their pets and children.

Earlier this month, a security camera in Burlington, Ont., recorded a coyote viciously attack a pet dog.

"It's unsafe for people to not be aware of this," Castro said. "We do have a lot of pet owners in the neighbourhood, and that's alarming to me because very easily they could be mistaken for food."

Conservation biologist, Dan Lebedyk, says coyote sightings are common at this time of year.

Two years ago, a young coyote was found hiding in the foyer of a downtown Windsor business.

Lebedyk has some tips, though.

Lebedyk said coyotes would probably be attracted to dogs in general, but also they're attracted to dog feces.

"That's a piece of advice that the Ministry of Natural Resources gives to people; clean up after your pets, so as not encourage more of these coyotes to come in," he said.

Lebedyk said if you see a coyote don't turn your back and run. Put your hands up in the air and make some noise, and that's bound to scare them off.