LONDON, ONT.— The Ministry of Natural Resources is investigating the deaths of six coyotes in the London, Ont., area.

There are unconfirmed reports two more dead animals were found in Ailsa Craig last Friday.

Ministry officials say they are working with local authorities to determine if the latest discovery is linked to two other cases in the region.

Last week, the first pair of dead coyotes was discovered at Western University, near a walking trail on campus. The second pair was found shortly after in Parkhill — both of those animals had their heads removed.

In each case, the coyotes have been placed beside each other in fairly public areas.

The motive for the killings is unclear.

“There have been reports of (coyote) attacks on pets in these areas, but the pets have been away from their owners or alone in a backyard,” said Brandon Williamson with the Upper Thames Valley Conservation Authority.

There is an open season on hunting coyotes at this time of year, but officials say the way in which the animals have been staged in each case is strange.