A coyote roaming the Beach neighhbourhood in Toronto will not be euthanized after all, but will instead be relocated to a zoo or wildlife area outside the city, says a city councillor.

Toronto Animal Control officers were poised to euthanize the coyote after it killed a small dog last month and continued to return to local backyards.

They said they had no choice after Ontario's Ministry of Natural Resources refused to issue a special permit allowing the animal to be relocated outside the city.

Under provincial rules, the coyote could only be moved one kilometre away, which would have kept it within city limits.

Over the weekend more than 200 people signed a petition to save the animal.

Coun. Sandra Bussin, who represents the neighbhourhood, said Monday that Minister of Natural Resources Donna Cansfield changed her mind and issued the special permit.