The City of Markham has closed parks and cancelled recreational programs in the interest of public safety after a pair of aggressive animals, believed to be coyotes or German Shepherds, attacked two people in a park on Monday night.
The Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (OSPCA) launched a search for the animals Tuesday morning.
Police were called to the wooded area of Huntington Park, in the area of Leslie Street and Highway 407, after at least two people were bitten Monday night.
The victims suffered minor injuries.
Officers tried to wrangle the animals Monday but they ran off to a large wooded area nearby.
The aggressive animals are likely coyotes, York police told 680News.
Until the animals are captured, the City of Markham is cancelling recreational programs at the following locations:
- Huntington Park
- Bayview Reservoir
- Thornlea Secondary School
- Thornlea East Park
- Green Lane Park
- Bishops Cross Park
- St. Roberts Field
- Duncan Park
- Bayview Fairways school
Police are asking people to avoid unaccompanied or unknown dogs and to contact police or the OSPCA if they do see any.
This morning @OntarioSPCA will be patrolling area of Thornhill where two large aggressive dogs were last seen.
— York Regional Police (@YRP) June 24, 2014
.@YRP tell me the aggressive dogs they’re looking for in Thornhill are actually coyotes. They’re deep in the woods of Huntington Pk area.
— Charlene Close (@Close680News) June 24, 2014