Rangers stand near a decomposing carcass of an elephant in one of the ranches within the Tsavo West wildlife ecosystem in Voi
Rangers from the Wildlife Works stand near a decomposing carcass of an elephant in one of the ranches within the Tsavo West wildlife ecosystem in Voi June 19, 2014. The United Nations will seek ways to toughen environmental laws this week to crack down on everything from illegal trade in wildlife to mercury poisoning and hazardous waste. The U.N. Environment Assembly (UNEA), a new forum of all nations including environment ministers, business leaders and civil society, will meet in Nairobi from June 23-27 to work on ways to promote greener economic growth. Picture taken June 19. REUTERS/Noor Khamis

A couple aggressive animals, likely to be coyotes, are on the loose in Canada as police warned local residents to watch out.

The animals have been spotted on Tuesday, June 24 in Thornhill which happens to be a suburban neighbourhood in the Greater Toronto Area of Southern Ontario. According to York Regional Police Constable Laura Nicole, two women had to suffer injuries after they had been bitten by the animals. Those were two separate incidents which took place on Monday. The injuries were reported to be minor. Nicole said that the animals on the loose were "wild."

York Regional Police are on the hunt for the animals which reportedly rushed several residents into their houses. One of the residents used a rake to fend one of the animals off. According to Sergeant Clint Whitney, the animals could also be a hybrid. Whitney said that it was not uncommon to find coyotes in the neighbourhood but there had been no reported incident before about those being aggressive against human beings.

The animals had already run away to a nearby jungle before York Regional Police arrived. The officers chased them anyway and managed to shoot at one of them. It was apparently shot in the upper shoulder area. The animals were then seen moving into Huntington Park, running parallel to Highway 404. According to Whitney, there are several places suitable for those animals to hide. Residents are encouraged to report immediately if they see the animals.

Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has joined hands with police to work on the case to track the animals down. According to OSPCA agent Brad Dewar, the agency is assisting with the capture of the animals and trying to find a way to confine them. People are discouraged against coming in contact with the animals. People should not run if they see the animals as it will "entice their prey mentality," Dewar said.

The animals which are now believed by many as coyotes were thought to be German Shepherds at first. Nicolle also said that no owner had been identified.

Contact the writer: s.mukhopadhyay@ibtimes.com.au