Image Credit: BCSPCA/ Tania Simpson

A Kelowna woman says she was chased by a coyote this morning while on a walk with her dog and husband.

Tami Bjornson, who lives in Lower Glenmore in Kelowna, said in the five years she’s lived in the area she’s never seen a coyote.

This morning, Jan. 20, they saw a coyote in their yard at around 9 a.m. and was walking with her 100-pound dog at noon when the coyote re-appeared out of the bush.

Her husband picked up the dog and quickly walked away as she began to run.

“The coyote is chasing me and catching up to me and (my husband) is like a half a block ahead of me,” Bjornson said. A driver in a truck noticed she was being chased and drove at the coyote to scare it off.

“Good news I’m safe, bad news I’m divorcing my husband and my dog,” she said.

She hasn’t called the B.C. Conservation Officer Service but was left wondering what’s the best way to react in a situation like that with a coyote.

“I would love to learn what I should do going forward,” she said.

The Conservation Officer Service could not be immediately be reached for comment, but WildSafeBC recommends people to make themselves larger, maintain eye contact and speak in a low firm voice or shout if encountering an aggressive coyote.

“Do not run or turn your back to it as this may trigger an attack,” according to WildSafeBC and pick up small pets and children.

WildSafeBC also recommends throwing rocks, sticks or objects in the animal’s vicinity. If it attacks, residents should hit the animal with their feet, or use a stick to hit the animal’s ribs and stomach.

Aggressive encounters should be reported the Conservation Officer Service.

During mating season from late January to mid-March, coyotes can become more aggressive towards humans and pets.

READ MORE: Drone captures coyotes prancing around on Skaha Lake

“Coyotes could perceive another canine as a potential rival, there’s more aggressiveness that could happen this time of year. It’s always good to keep pets separated from wildlife,” WildSafeBC program manager Vanessa Isnardy said. “Coyote densities will vary across the province, but the Interior is prime coyote habitat.”

— With files from Emily Rogers

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