Coun. Diane Deans is asking Ottawa residents to help document coyote sightings in the city. (Courtesy of Greg Carter)

An Ottawa councillor is calling for the city to create a joint strategy with the province for dealing with coyotes wandering through urban communities.

Gloucester-Southgate Coun. Diane Deans' appeal comes after a coyote was spotted on the edge of a children's playground behind the Greenborough Community Centre south of Ottawa several times last week.

There are no reports of the coyote attacking people or their pets, but Deans has asked that the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources issue a permit to hire a trapper who can catch the animal.

A long-term approach is needed to address the growing number of coyotes in Ottawa, Deans said. People on the outer fringes of the city in particular have complained of more coyotes going through their garbage and hurting their pets in recent months.

Deans introduced a motion at council on Monday that calls for a co-ordinated approach between the city, the province and the public.

"We want to start [documenting] where the coyotes are living and how many there are," she said Monday.

"And we need the public's help to that. So we're asking them to call 311 if they see a coyote and report it so we can start that work."

Deans' motion will be debated at a meeting of the city's community and protective services committee on Thursday.

Authorities chided for response to sighting

Alex Reklitis saw the coyote wandering about 100 metres from the children's swings last Thursday while running on a treadmill at the centre.

Reklitis said a woman at the gym told him she first saw the coyote three days before he did.

He's upset that people in the area weren't notified right away.

"The animal's been here the whole week since Monday. Why could they not inform the public living in this area to protect their animals and themselves?" he asked.

Deans said she just heard about the coyote sighting a couple of days ago.