Yellowknife (Mar 29/06) - A three-legged coyote is still alive and roaming free even though two months ago wildlife officers said they would killed it if captured.

The animal, missing a paw on its right front leg, has made several evening appearances in and around the Gitzel Street area in recent weeks, off Franklin Avenue.

“I saw it outside our house a couple weeks ago,” said Jan Mierke. She and her family live on Gitzel Street off of Frame Lake.

She said it doesn’t seem to be harming anyone and thinks it should be left alone.

But senior wildlife officer Raymond Bourget said people in the neighbourhood have been feeding the animal - and that’s a problem.

Back in January, Bourget said the animal would be destroyed if caught because it would starve if re-located into the bush.

He has since toned down the death order, but said the animal would be destroyed if it becomes aggressive towards people.

“It’s not dangerous at this point but because people are feeding it, the coyote will become less wary of humans and the potential danger to people increases.”

Bourget said people feed wild animals even though they shouldn’t because they think they’re helping the animal, especially in the winter.

The only records of coyotes biting people are when people try to feed them or get close to their food, said Bourget. Another reason the coyote is hanging around the city is because of overflowing dumpsters, which have become its food source.

“It’s important to keep dumpsters closed properly. We have an issue with coyotes now, but in the summer the odour will attract bears.”

Yellowknife has approximately three to four groups of coyotes, according to the department of environment and natural resources.

Officials do not know how many coyotes are in these groups, but the numbers are believed to have grown from a population of two in 2003.

The coyote is about the size of a large German shepherd dog and is grey. Bourget is asking residents of the area to call the department during regular office hours if anyone sees the animal.