GENERAL INFORMATION

ON 

COYOTES

Many wild animals, including the coyote and fox, adapt very well to urbanization and can cohabit with humans. Some people have expressed concern about these animals attacking children and pets. Attacks by coyotes on humans are extremely rare and attacks on humans by fox are non-existent. In fact, both animals are very skittish and tend to shy away from direct contact with humans. While coyotes can pose a threat to domestic pets their diet consists of mostly small mammals including mice, rabbits, and squirrels but will also eat fruits and vegetables, especially in the fall. When letting your dog out at dusk or after dark, check the yard for any type of wild animal. Turn lights on and make some noise in order to scare off any possible wild animal that may be in the immediate area. It is worth considering that no documented case of a coyote biting a human has been reported for Cook County. Contrast that result with domestic dogs, in which Cook County often records 2,000 to 3,000 dog bites each year (including some fatalities).

Seeing a coyote cross a field, backyard, road or golf course does not necessarily constitute a problem or dangerous situation, either for humans or domestic animals. Coyotes will be more active and more visible in late winter/early spring during the breeding season. Most coyotes are harmless; their goal is to eat more natural foods such as mice and rabbits. However, coyotes are opportunistic. If coyotes see easy food—such as open garbage-

and aren’t afraid, they may take advantage. That puts them in direct line for a confrontation with pets. Coyotes aren’t interested in eating pets, these are territorial disputes. Studies have shown that attempts at eliminating all coyotes are not practical, economical or workable. When coyotes are removed others quickly move in. Overpopulations of Canada geese and deer in urban and suburban areas have provided coyotes with plenty of food sources. Removing all coyotes from an area is unrealistic and always temporary.

The question has also been asked as to why the police department will not capture and remove these animals. According to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, trying to reduce and control the coyote population will not work. The void created by a coyote’s death or removal will be filled within three to four weeks. Coyotes are also intelligent animals and very difficult to catch in a live trap. Traps successfully used to capture coyotes are “snare” or “leg hold” traps which are dangerous to children as well as adults. Unless an animal has demonstrated aggressiveness toward a human or a domestic pet, the coyote should be left alone. In the event of aggressiveness, an Illinois Department of Natural Resources licensed trapper should be contacted to address the problem animal.