A pile of dead coyotes found next to a roadway in an Ontario community has the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) investigating – but whether they can make a case is up in the air.
CTV News reported (WARNING: link contains graphic image) that a resident found four corpses near a ski resort in a community north of Barrie.
“I just came across a foul smell on the side of the road and decided to investigate and found four dead coyotes,” the witness told CTV. “Pretty disgusted and pretty disappointed that somebody would actually do that; leave them on the side of the road.”
CTV contacted MNRF who noted that they are investigating, but also said “it is impossible to determine even by looking at the pictures CTV News sent them if any laws were broken in the killing of the coyotes.”
The difficulty lays in the ease with which coyotes can be killed in Ontario. With a small game (hunting) license, there are few restrictions, particularly on private property. Trappers can set multiple types of traps for coyotes. There is no province-wide season on killing coyotes.
While residents of the small community are disturbed by the sight of a pile of dead coyotes, it’s likely the only law that was broken was the disposal of the bodies – which should be buried or left away from public areas.
Please, if you’re aware of someone illegally hunting or trapping coyotes or other wildlife, or have information related to this investigation, contact the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry TIPS line at 1-877-847-7667, or Crime Stoppers (anonymously) at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
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