The city is warning of an aggressive coyote on the loose in Toronto's Bayview Village Park, with two parkgoers bitten by the canid menace this weekend.

The incident occurred in the park near Bayview and Sheppard on Sunday afternoon, the latest in a string of reports of coyotes roaming the park, seemingly with little fear of humans.

Dog walkers at Bayview Village Park captured this video of a coyote in the field on the weekend. A coyote in the park bit two people yesterday afternoon. (We don’t know if this is the same animal.) Video courtesy: Philip Gojkovich pic.twitter.com/KZRzkZB8r5

— Linda Ward (@LindaWardCBC) November 22, 2021

Media reports indicate that nobody was injured in the attacks, but Toronto Police are reporting that the animal is aggressive, adding that the public should steer clear of this park until Toronto Animal Services manages to capture the rogue coyote.

ANIMAL COMPLAINT:
Bayview Village Park
- reports of a coyote in the park area, is aggressive and has attacked citizens
- police o/s
- @TOAnimalService o/s - investigating
- use caution & please stay away from the park area#GO2244664
^al

— Toronto Police Operations (@TPSOperations) November 21, 2021

Some in the area say that there is more than just one coyote prowling the park at night.

They've been spotted, in packs, during the day, at a nearby park. Very scary.

— Rhonda Wolfson (@just_rhondaw) November 21, 2021

One commenter claims these weekend attacks are no coincidence, with locals allegedly providing food for coyotes in this same park.

Sad, I've seen this coyote while cycling through this park. Stupid people are feeding it...

— Jean Doiron (@BOWZ6CV) November 22, 2021

Others seem less worried, offering easy (and not at all recommended) self-defence measures to keep these four-legged assailants at bay.

Carry an air horn,and a golf club! That should do the trick!! #fore pic.twitter.com/iYi4Z6b5Rb

— Edward Doran 🇨🇦🇮🇪 (@doraned66) November 22, 2021

Concerns about a dangerous coyote on the loose pushed to the backburner, some took issue with the cops' choice of the word "citizens" in a tweet advising the public of the threat.

While this is scary, I want to know how the coyote knew the people were *citizens* — did it check their immigration status? Did it think *citizens* would taste better than other residents, like foreign students, migrant workers, or undocumented immigrants?

— Susan Fletcher (@SusanAnonymouse) November 22, 2021

In a statement issued on Sunday, the city addressed the reports, saying that "The City of Toronto is aware that two individuals were bitten by a coyote in Bayview Village Park earlier today."

#CityOfTO statement on coyote bite incidents at Bayview Village Park.

Statement: https://t.co/TllVejegE9@TOAnimalService @311Toronto @TorontoPFR https://t.co/E7iVY77fFq

— City of Toronto (@cityoftoronto) November 22, 2021

"Toronto Animal Services and the Toronto Police Services Emergency Task Force have been in the area all day today working diligently to capture the coyote and will resume their efforts tomorrow," reads the statement.

"The coyote is still at large and the City advises residents in the area to please stay away from the park and use caution in the neighbouring areas."

Along with @TorontoPolice Emergency Task Force, we have been in the area all day today working diligently to capture the coyote & will resume efforts tomorrow. The coyote is still at large. Residents in the area, pls stay away from the park & use caution in the neighbouring areas https://t.co/HbH0cI5Ccn

— TO Animal Services (@TOAnimalService) November 22, 2021

"Coyotes generally do not pose a danger to people and a bite to a human is abnormal behaviour. To report a coyote sighting, call 416-338-PAWS (7297), or email animalservices@toronto.ca or fill out an online form," advises the city.

The city has a page where you can learn more about urban coyotes, their behaviour, and how to best stay safe around the animals.