Wheaton, Ill. — Concerns about coyotes have residents of Wheaton calling on the city council to take action.
At a council meeting Tuesday night residents argued for a plan to trap and kill the animals.
“It’s not just a mere nuisance, we have a reasonable fear for our beloved pets and our children,” said Annette Corrigan.
The problem, people say, is that the number of coyotes seems to have grown tremendously in the past year, and the carnivores, which are indigenous to the area, are getting more and more comfortable being around people.
Tony Parla saw two run across his backyard Tuesday afternoon. He worries about his two small dogs, and his son being out in the backyard alone.
“They don’t back away, that’s the biggest concern. In the past if you saw a coyote and clapped your hands whatever, it would take off. They don’t any more. They keep coming closer and closer,” Parla said.
Rebecca Barnett’s cat Jinx was mauled and killed by a coyote last September. Another time two threatened her daughter.
“She was running on our back road and was stopped at the bridge by two adult coyotes and they would not let her go past,” Barnett said.
The city council had given preliminary approval to a plan to trap and remove coyotes.
One resident raised concerns about tax dollars, and the danger of trapping.
“Leg hold traps can maim and or kill humans, companion animals or non-targeted wildlife, some of which are protected by law,” said Gloria DeLuca
Councilman John Prendiville wants the trapping plan halted before it comes to a vote.
“If a particular animal attacks or actively threatens humans I will take action against that animal,” he said, “but I can’t support the preemptive killing of wild animals to protect pets. Revenge for the death of a pet is not sufficient reasons for killing coyotes.”
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