Kanata area residents are being warned not to leave their pets unattended after a coyote attacked and killed a small deer near people's homes.

The attack took place Wednesday night in the Kanata Lakes natural environment area adjacent to a residential neighbourhood, said a news release from Kanata North Councillor Marianne Wilkinson Thursday.

The release warned the public to be cautious when skiing or snowshoeing in natural areas of Kanata, and to keep an eye on their dogs and cats unless the pets are in a fenced yard.

Wilkinson said Friday that she issued the release because a resident was concerned that the attack took place so close to people's homes. However she noted that deer are a natural food for coyotes and they may be having trouble finding smaller prey right now because of the crust on the snow. She added that coyotes rarely attack humans.

Residents in Ottawa's south end have complained vocally about coyotes in their neighbourhoods, especially after one was spotted on the edge of a children's playground behind the Greenboro Community Centre several times last week.

However, there have been fewer complaints in Kanata, despite the growing number of coyotes there.

"It's increased in the west end just as much as it has elsewhere," Wilkinson said Friday, adding that local residents are aware of that. "But they're not bothered by it as much as the south end."