Coyote came within arm's length: a Sarrazin Way resident's late-night warning

Andrew Mesley had just arrived home on Sarrazin Way around 11 p.m. on August 5 when an ordinary trip to the back of his vehicle became a frightening close encounter.

Mesley opened the hatch to retrieve a bag. As he stood beside the vehicle, he said a coyote suddenly came running down the street toward him and stopped within arm's length.

"It looked like it felt threatened and was ready to attack," Mesley told the Barrhaven Bugle.

That was Mesley's impression in the moment. No attack occurred, and nobody else or any pets were outside with him. But with the animal only an arm's length away, he had little time to decide what to do.

Mesley rattled his keys to make noise. The sound appeared to startle the coyote, which backed away before running farther down the street.

He did not immediately return to unloading the vehicle. Mesley waited several seconds, collected his belongings, locked the car and quickly went inside.

"It was definitely a scary and unexpected encounter, especially being that close to a coyote at night," he said.

It was the first coyote Mesley had personally seen in Barrhaven, although he said he had heard many stories about sightings from other residents.

He shared his experience because he wants neighbours to pay closer attention when children or pets are outdoors, particularly at night.

"Hopefully it moves along soon, but I thought it was worth sharing just in case," Mesley said.

This story is based on a written interview conducted through the Bugle's interview form. Direct quotations were lightly edited for length and clarity.