Coyote Attacks on Dogs Put Southwest Calgary Neighborhoods on High Alert
Residents in southwest Calgary neighborhoods are facing growing concerns after a series of coyote attacks targeting small dogs has put pet owners on edge. The incidents, which occurred in the Kelvin Grove and Mayfair areas, have resulted in emergency veterinary treatment for two dogs and a third attack captured on surveillance footage.
Emergency Veterinary Care Required
Dr. Jaime Cormack from the Alpine 24/7 Pet Hospital reported treating two dogs on March 10 following separate coyote encounters. The first victim was a Pomeranian mix that suffered puncture wounds after being grabbed by a coyote, while the second was a Shih Tzu-like dog attacked under similar circumstances.
"A couple puncture wounds, nothing too bad," Cormack described regarding the first case. "The second one was a very similar situation. They took their dog for a walk and the coyote came out of the bushes. It grabbed the little dog, the owner yelled at the coyote, managed to get him to drop the dog and then four more came out."
What surprised veterinary staff was the proximity of the attacks—occurring just four minutes apart—and the unusual frequency. Cormack noted that before these incidents, she had only seen one similar case in three years of practice.
Aggressive Behavior Escalates
The situation took an even more concerning turn when a coyote approached the Alpine Pet Hospital the following day, displaying aggressive behavior toward a dog being weighed inside the facility. Veterinary technician student Liv Heilman witnessed the incident, stating, "That one came up to the window and was snarling."
Adding to the documented cases, witnesses recorded video evidence of a third coyote attack on March 9, further confirming the pattern of aggressive wildlife behavior in the area.
Residents Express Frustration and Concern
Kelvin Grove resident Nicole Hopf, who called 311 on March 6 after spotting a pack of four coyotes during her morning walk, expressed frustration with the official response. "We now supervise our dog in the backyard at all times," Hopf explained. "We recognize it is a danger. I saw them go into a backyard and called 311. They advised that unless they are in a school yard, visibly attacking, asserting aggressive behaviour like snarling; they are part of the city and we have to live with them."
Hopf's concerns intensified when her daughter reported seeing two separate coyote packs lurking in the neighborhood. "To me, this is more than just the odd coyote strolling," Hopf emphasized. "This is aggressive behaviour that we're dealing with. It probably warrants a bit more attention than what we have given it to this point."
Geographic Factors Contributing to Encounters
The Alpine Pet Hospital's location—just two minutes from the closest attack site and a bridge away from Kelvin Grove—places it near significant wildlife corridors. The area borders the Glenmore Reservoir and Elbow River, which the City of Calgary recognizes as natural pathways for wildlife movement.
This geographic positioning may explain the increased coyote activity, as urban expansion continues to intersect with traditional wildlife habitats. The proximity of residential areas to these natural corridors creates challenging situations for both wildlife management and pet safety.
As coyote sightings become more frequent and attacks more brazen, southwest Calgary residents are taking extra precautions with their pets while calling for more comprehensive solutions to address the growing wildlife conflict in their neighborhoods.
