Saskatoon coyotes infected with distemper, says public safety ministry

Two sick coyotes euthanized by Saskatoon police nearly two weeks ago suffered from canine distemper.

That’s according to a statement from the Saskatchewan Ministry of Corrections, Policing and Public Safety.

On March 18, Saskatoon police officers were called to the 600 block of Feheregyhazi Boulevard in the Aspen Ridge area after someone spotted a coyote lying in an alley and acting strangely. Police said the officers determined the animal was in distress, and it was euthanized.

Then just after noon on the same day, police were called out again to the Sutherland Dog Park for another report of a sick coyote acting abnormally. That animal was also euthanized.

A third coyote observed behaving abnormally in the same area escaped from police.

The carcasses of the two coyotes were submitted to the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative at the University of Saskatchewan.

According to the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association, distemper is a serious viral disease that causes respiratory, digestive and nervous system issues in domestic dogs and other canines. It can be fatal in up to half of unvaccinated dogs.

The ministry reminded all pet owners to protect their animals by making sure they’re up to date on vaccinations and boosters.