Essex Wants You To Make Your Property Unwelcome

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After winning Five Blooms and first place in this year’s National Communities in Bloom competition, you would expect the Town of Essex to encourage residents to make their properties attractive, but that is not the case.

Some residents in Ward 3 have contacted Councillor Bill Caixeiro with concerns about increased sightings of coyotes and foxes during daytime hours.

“We always encourage people to help beautify the town by beautifying their own properties,” said Caixeiro. “Creating a welcoming environment for friends and family is wonderful – creating a welcoming environment for wild animals is not.”

The Ontario Provincial Police has confirmed that there have been no attacks on people in Essex County, but residents are urged to take safety precautions to protect themselves and their property from wild animals of all types.

The following precautions are recommended:

• Securely dispose of food and kitchen waste – the scent of food attracts animals.
• Don’t put your garbage out for collection until the morning.
• Don’t feed your pets outside and keep your yard clean of dog feces – coyotes are attracted to it.
• Keep small dogs and cats inside at night.
• Keep your distance – never approach or touch a wild animal.
• Don’t feed wild animals! It’s not good for them and it may make them dependent on human interaction.

The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry provides additional information on preventing and managing conflicts with coyotes and foxes on their website.

If a wild animal poses an immediate threat or danger to public safety, residents are directed to call 9-1-1.