Augusta is a rural community and as such we have a lot of little critters running around. Some may be troublesome, but most are just following their instincts and trying to survive – looking for food, shelter or a place to have their babies. Most do not stay in one place very long.
There are many ways property owners can reduce the likelihood of wildlife problems such as getting rid of sources of food and shelter on your property and keeping garbage secured until it’s time to take it to the Transfer Station.
Raccoons, Skunks, Porcupines, Fishers etc.
Augusta does not offer a service to deal with nuisance or injured wildlife on private property. Raccoons, skunks, porcupines, fishers and any other wild animal found on private property can be removed with the assistance of pest control specialist or a nuisance wildlife rehabilitator when required.
The Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) has resources available to help you if wildlife is repeatedly visiting/affecting your property. To find a private local wildlife control service, search “wildlife” in our Business Directory or search “wildlife control” or “wildlife removal” on 411.ca. You can also call them at 1-800-667-1940.
Beavers
If a beaver is building in a municipal drain please contact the Public Works Department (613-925-4231 ext. 301, mmoore@augusta.ca) and we will have someone come and take a look at the issue.
However, if it is building on your property (not in a municipal drain), the Township is not responsible for its removal. We again suggest calling a local wildlife control service to see if they can help you remove it.
Cats
The Township does not have any By-Laws that regulate/deal with cats. Only dogs. If you have barn/stray/feral cats on your property, you can try calling a rescue such as Spencerville TNR to see if they are able to assist you.
Birds
If you have found sick/dead birds on your property, you can try calling the Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit for information on how to handle their removal or the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative (1-866-673-4781).
Bears
Grenville County Detachment of the OPP reminds residents that black bears that come into a populated area aren’t always a threat to public safety. The following explains who to contact if you encounter a bear:
EMERGENCY SITUATION
Call 9-1-1 if a black bear poses an immediate threat to personal safety by exhibiting threatening or aggressive behaviour, such as:
- Entering a school yard when school is in session
- Stalking people or lingering at the site
- Entering or trying to enter a residence
- Wandering into a public gathering
- Killing livestock/pets and is lingering at the site
OPP are the first responder for any emergency situation. At the request of the police, the Ministry of Natural Resources will respond to emergency situations to assist.
NON-EMERGENCY ENCOUNTERS
- Call the toll-free Bear Wise reporting line at 1-866-514-2327 if a black bear is:
- Roaming around, checking garbage cans
- Breaking into a shed where garbage or food is stored
- In a tree
- Pulling down a bird feeder or knocking over a BBQ
- Moving through a backyard or field but is not lingering
This line operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week from April 1 until November 30. Trained staff can provide advice to you about black bear behaviour, how to avoid human-bear conflicts, and how to remove attractants from your property.
Fox
We receive a lot of calls in the Spring from residents concerned because they have seen fox in the area/yard. As the Township does not deal with ‘nuisance’ wildlife, we have done some research to make residents aware of why they may show up in populated areas this time of year:
- It is not all that unusual for a fox to be seen out and about during the day. Foxes prey on squirrels, birds, chipmunks, and other animals that are only active by day, so they may simply be looking for a meal at that time. A fox cutting through your yard is probably just passing through on their way between hunting areas and no action is necessary on your part.
- Foxes are not dangerous to humans, except when they are rabid (which is very rare) or when they are captured and handled. Even then, a fox’s natural tendency is to flee rather than fight. Observe the fox’s behavior, and look for these signs to see if it could possibly be rabid:
- Partial paralysis or the inability to use their limbs well.
- Circling or staggering as if drunk.
- Self-mutilation.
- Acting aggressively for no reason.
- Acting unnaturally tame.
- If you observe these signs, do not approach the fox—remember exposure to rabies is primarily through bites or saliva.
- Foxes dig dens mostly for raising kits (their babies), but also to use as shelter from severe winter weather. They do not live in the den year-round.
- Foxes come close to people to raise their families because coyotes are in the further out areas. If a coyote finds a fox den, it may dig up the den and kill all the young. Foxes know this so they choose what they believe to be the lesser of two evils and come in closer to humans and away from the coyotes to have their litters.
- Pups are born in the spring, usually in March or April and are fully furred with their eyes closed. Litter size is usually between 4-7. They start to emerge from the den at four or five weeks.
- Dens under porches, decks or sheds are not uncommon in urban areas. If you find a fox family in an inconvenient spot, consider allowing them to stay until the young are old enough (usually around 9 weeks) to begin accompanying their parents on foraging outings. At this point they are nearly ready to say goodbye to the den site and move on for good.
- Foxes may prey on small pets or livestock (such as rabbits, guinea pigs or chickens), so pets should be kept indoors or housed in sturdy structures. A typical adult cat is almost the same size as a fox and has a well-deserved reputation for self-defence, so foxes are generally not interested in taking such cats on. Kittens and very small (less than five pounds) adult cats, however, could be prey for a fox. The best way to avoid encounters between foxes and cats is to keep them indoors. Most dogs are not at risk from an attack by a fox unless they have threatened its young but should still be monitored or leashed when outside. Miniature dogs in particular.
If you still wish to have the foxes removed, as mentioned, the Township does not interfere with wildlife, so a nuisance wildlife company would need to be contacted.
Coyotes
The Township receives a lot of calls/emails from residents concerned because they have seen coyotes in the area/yard as well – particularly in the Maitland subdivisions. Again, because the Township does not deal with ‘nuisance’ wildlife, we have done some research to make residents aware of a few coyote facts:
- Coyote howling is the coyote’s specialized means of communicating danger, locating pack members, defending territory, and survival skills for pups. Their series of high-pitched yips, barks and howls acts as an effective ‘coyote GPS’.
- Adult coyotes secure and defend their territory by frequently moving throughout the landscape.
- Mating season is usually in early to mid-February. Gestation is 60-63 days, and the average litter size is 5 pups.
- Coyote parents are protective and caring and will not tolerate threats to their young such as a domestic dog off-leash. Dogs are considered another predator to coyotes, and they will respond defensively to a dog intruding near a den or a rendezvous site.
- As pups become more independent, both parents may venture off to hunt & forage leaving the pups behind at the den. Parents will bring food items and toys back for the pups. Please reconsider removing the pups from wild spaces. Well-meaning citizens assume that pups are orphaned when in fact parents are foraging and hunting.
Tips for Coexisting with Coyotes:
- Never feed wildlife. The few documented cases of coyote-inflicted wounds on humans occurred as a result of humans encouraging close proximity by feeding a coyote. Food rewards encourage them to increase their proximity tolerance to people, yards, & public places where the food is placed.
- Keep pet food and water bowls indoors. Pet food will attract coyotes to your yard.
- Pick ripened fruit and clean all rotted fallen fruit from the ground.
- Do not allow a large amount of wild bird seed to remain on your lawn. Birdseed attracts birds, rabbits, squirrels, and rodents which are prey for coyotes.
- Supervise pets and keep them under strict control.
- Keep chickens, rabbits & other small animals in covered enclosures, constructed with heavy mesh wire. Coyotes can break through chicken coop wire.
- Teach children about wildlife and how to safely respond to a coyote nearby.
What to do if you encounter a coyote:
- Pick up small children and pets.
- Never run from or turn your back on a coyote (or fox/wolf/domestic dog).
- Wave your arms above your head, stomp your feet, and clap your hands. Surprise gestures work best. Be assertive!
- Be big and loud. Yell ‘Go Away”. Never scream. A strong voice and assertive gestures send a clear message.
- Slowly back away. Maintain eye contact and remember never to run.
If you still wish to have the coyotes removed, a nuisance wildlife company would need to be contacted.
For more information and helpful tips about coyotes, visit the Coyote Watch Website:
https://www.coyotewatchcanada.com/site/coexisting-with-coyotes
Injured Animals
If you find an injured/sick animal and would like to try and find it help, you could try contacting the Ontario Wildlife Rescue at 416-436-9892 and see if they can assist you.
Rabies
Rabies is a virus that can be transmitted, through saliva, from an infected mammal to any other mammal, including livestock, pets, wildlife and humans. Non-mammals, including fish, poultry, birds, reptiles, and amphibians (e.g. frogs and toads) can’t get rabies. Rabies is almost always fatal. Once signs of rabies appear, the animal will die, typically within a few days.
For more information on what to do if you think an animal has rabies, visit the Province’s website.