Updated: Sat Nov. 07 2009 7:11:03 PM

ctvtoronto.ca

A Toronto woman enjoying a walk with her dog on a crisp fall morning was given a scare when she found herself being stalked by a coyote.

Police and animal control say the situation unfolded on the western edge of Rouge Park, which is just east of the city, on Saturday morning.

It appears that many people heading to Rouge Park and its 50 square-kilometres of wilderness have had similar experiences with the animals, CTV Toronto's Chris Eby reports.

Some people are even arming themselves with hockey sticks, pepper spray and broom handles, just in case they find themselves being pursued by an unwanted visitor, Eby reported.

After the coyote sighting Saturday morning, police and animal control officers were called to Rouge Park, but they weren't able to spot any of the animals.

Alarm about the creatures remains high following the recent death of Toronto's Taylor Mitchell. Mitchell, who was a touring musician, died last month during a hike on Cape Breton Island when she was attacked by a pack of wild coyotes. Three coyotes believed to be responsible have since been shot by animal control officers.

Though experts maintain that such attacks are rare, coyotes have been known to attack small dogs, and they appear to be growing more comfortable around humans.

Earlier this year, residents in the city's Beach district became concerned when a coyote was spotted in their neighbourhood. Though the coyote was blamed for attacking neighbourhood dogs, many residents were against trapping and killing the animal.

Some pedestrians in Rouge Park on Saturday expressed similar sentiments to CTV Toronto, asking that animal control officers refrain from hurting any coyotes they see.