Summerside park remains closed as 2 more coyotes caught

Three coyotes have now been caught and removed from Rotary Friendship Park in Summerside, P.E.I., but the green space remains closed to the public.

On Sunday afternoon a licenced trapper caughtan older adult male, and on Monday another male and female coyote were captured.

The province has not done an assessment on coyotes in the park. Conservation officers suggested the licenced trapper and offered advice on trapping the potentially aggressive animals.

Kim McCarthy's house backs right on to the Rotary Friendship Park, and she was happy to hear on Sunday afternoon that one of the animals had been caught.

"It's great news," said McCarthy.

"We have a dog, we have two young kids."

Bob Ashley, chief administrative officer with the City of Summerside, said Sunday the park was remaining closed as a safety precaution.

Not everyone was staying out. Shawn Murphy said since his his dog was on a leash, he wasn't concerned.

"I don't feel there's too much of a risk. They're probably more scared of us than we are of them," said Murphy.

Ashley said coyotes were not the only danger in the park. He doesn't want to see any people caught in the traps laid for the coyotes.

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