The Village has received a few calls regarding recent coyote sightings in parks (Jirsa Park) and residential neighborhoods. As a reminder, coyotes are part of the natural ecosystem of our region, and while they generally try to avoid human interaction, coyotes may be more visible this time of year.
DuPage County provides a number of helpful tips involving coyotes and recommends the following:
- Always supervise your dog and keep it on a leash — even in a fenced backyard.
- Always keep cats indoors.
- Coyotes can be creatures of habit, so if you see one at the same time and place while walking your pet, change your route or timing.
- If you have a small dog and encounter a coyote, pick up your pet.
Unless coyotes associate people with negative experiences, such as loud noises, they can become comfortable walking down streets or sidewalks or near schools, basking in yards or parks, and shortening the distance between themselves and humans.
You can prevent problems in your neighborhood by removing two main attractants: food and shelter. Feeding wild animals increases the potential of dangerous encounters for you and your pets and the well-being of the wild animal. If approached by a coyote use hazing technique, such as making loud noises, yelling and waving your arms.
