Wheaton wants to cut coyote population

Weeks after a small dog had to be put to sleep after it was seriously injured in a coyote attack, Wheaton officials have agreed to take steps to cull the city's coyote population.

[Kathy OBrien]

Wheaton is right to thin out the volume of coyotes in their city. The number of coyotes is greater than the food available to them in their habitats, therefore, why they are entering the residential areas and attacking the small pets, even when the pet's owner is outside with the pet. The situation will not become better on its own. There has already been numerous dogs attacked, with many reports of missing pets, both dogs and cats. This coupled with the bodyparts of both dogs and cats being discovered in Wheaton illustrates the severity of the problem. The schools are at times altering their outside recess due to coyotes being present on the property, as well as traffic accidents are occurring because the coyotes are present on the streets. It is no longer an issue that can be allowed to continue, the number of coyotes needs to be reduced and this will need to be done as a regular maintenance every one to two years.

[Taxpayer]

Kathy OBrien wrote:

Wheaton is right to thin out the volume of coyotes in their city. The number of coyotes is greater than the food available to them in their habitats, therefore, why they are entering the residential areas and attacking the small pets, even when the pet's owner is outside with the pet. The situation will not become better on its own. There has already been numerous dogs attacked, with many reports of missing pets, both dogs and cats. This coupled with the bodyparts of both dogs and cats being discovered in Wheaton illustrates the severity of the problem. The schools are at times altering their outside recess due to coyotes being present on the property, as well as traffic accidents are occurring because the coyotes are present on the streets. It is no longer an issue that can be allowed to continue, the number of coyotes needs to be reduced and this will need to be done as a regular maintenance every one to two years.

Agree 100% those things are dangerous

[Jenny]

I also agree with the removing of the coyotes. The only way we can live together peacefully is when they stay in there areas and are able to have enough natural food sources. Once that is out of balance and they start to eat pets that behavior needs to be addressed. The woman whose dog died in January WAS OUTSIDE with her dog and that did not stop the coyote! There are just too many coyotes for them to be able to find thier own food. Of course this also means anyone who is out giving them food is their worst enemy because you are the person who makes them think they can go near humans for food which is wrong and will lead to the problems that are causing the trapping to be needed now.

[whocares]

I believe in removing the people. The coyotes were here long before any of you folks with your pocket pets and critters that barely qualify as dogs. What a bunch of snooty self absorbed Wheaton Snobs.

The irony here is that NOTHING can be done. Nature finds a way, always has, always will.

[Ed Teune]

This does not even make sense. If you reduce the number of coyotes in one town, the neighboring coyotes will just move in! Coyotes are on the rise and are pretty much here to stay.
I got video of a pair last week hunting in open daylight right near traffic!
http://www.youtube.com/watch...
Usually we only see them at dawn and dusk and they run away or hide. These two didn't seem bothered at all by human presence. I have to say they were very beautiful.
If you don't want coyotes near your home, don't put so much animal food outside. I know my neighbor is always so upset about the hawks. Yet she sets up a grand feeding station for them every day with her many bird feeders! It's like an all you can eat Cooper's Hawk buffet! The coyotes are starting to come around too because of all the small mammals that feed at the feeders too.

[Ed Teune]

BTW, I live in southern Naperville, not Lake Zurich as Topix has incorrectly indicated.

[Coy Coy Coyote]

2 thoughts on letting mayor know you disapprove of his action.
1. His term is up next year. Vote him out.
2. If you have an account at the bank he is VP of? Pull it out and open an account elsewhere. Might get his attention if you inform the teller WHY you no longer want to bank there also.
Just my thoughts.

[RRMcBride]

Right on. Problem is with people, not the animals. Wheaton has a leash law: follow it. Keep the little things in your control, not the wild animal's.

[RRMcBride]

RRMcBride: I live in Wheaton in an area where I see them once, sometimes twice daily. They always run away. If I want a coyote near me, I would let a little dog run off leash.

[Ill resident]

I do not live in Wheaton but If i find out my tax dollors are being spent to kill coyote it will saden me. You rich yuppy scum in them burbs build your 4hundred thousand dollor homes and let your little dogs out at night. Just kill the coyote thats the answer, whatcha going to do in the spring kill the rabbits cause there eating your flowers? Kill the squelrill cause your lawn has holes? JUST REMEMBER THE COYOTE WAS THERE LONG BEFORE YOU AND HE WILL REMAIN THERE LONG AFTER YOUR YUPPY SELVES FORECLOSE ON YOUR HOMES

[Ill resident]

by the way if Il would just pass a right to bear arms law you yuppy scum could kill them coyotes yourself and not bother with my money waiting on something as precious as a living animal. You know something how bought putting a fence up around your so called "castle in the burbs" and leash your dogs, cats, children, and even spouses cause darn them coyotes are dangerous

[Love Wheaton IL]

Dont be jealous us rich snooty people that yall call us live in Wheaton with our million dollar houses.Dont Hate!! we are living happily and lavishly... kill those coyotes kill them!!!!!!!!!!

[Sue]

My heart goes out to anyone who ever had their beloved pet killed by a coyote. I am an animal lover and love my two dogs dearly. They are my family. However, I do realize that there is wildlife living outside our backyard. This is why I bought a fence to keep my dogs safe. To kill all the coyotes, because they have killed a few pets in a neighborhood is wrong.

Statistics show that your pet has more of a chance being attacked from another dog VS a coyote. It is extremely rare for a coyote to attack a person or any animal over 15 lbs. They usually eat rodents and rabbits.

We live near the River and coyotes come to our house all the time. We have never had a problem in 10 years. Our neighbors are all aware of the coyotes and watch their pets during the night time. People need to use common sense that there are other wildlife animals that live outside, not just their dog......

If there was a problem coyote, then I would be in favor of relocation.

I laugh at people that are afraid of coyotes, because coyotes are more afraid of people. In Wisconsin, they have wolves & coyotes and the people have managed to live side by side without killing them. I think the people in Wheaton need to come up with other solutions to the problem then just to kill all the coyotes. People need to watch their pets at night. It is hard for a coyote to distinguish between a Toy Poodle and a rabbit when they are hungry.

Save the coyotes! They were here first!

[Wheaton neighbor]

The woman whose dog was killed WAS outside with her dog. The attack happened on her own property around ten in the morning.

Coyotes do jump fences.

Dogs do bite, and when they do you get to ask the owner if they had their shots, possibly impound them to check for rabies. Have you noticed that a lot of the coyotes owners arn't walking them on leashes!!!!

Yep the coyotes were here first, but that doesn't mean they can kill our pets.

[Taxpayer]

Sue wrote:

My heart goes out to anyone who ever had their beloved pet killed by a coyote. I am an animal lover and love my two dogs dearly. They are my family. However, I do realize that there is wildlife living outside our backyard. This is why I bought a fence to keep my dogs safe. To kill all the coyotes, because they have killed a few pets in a neighborhood is wrong.
Statistics show that your pet has more of a chance being attacked from another dog VS a coyote. It is extremely rare for a coyote to attack a person or any animal over 15 lbs. They usually eat rodents and rabbits.
We live near the River and coyotes come to our house all the time. We have never had a problem in 10 years. Our neighbors are all aware of the coyotes and watch their pets during the night time. People need to use common sense that there are other wildlife animals that live outside, not just their dog......
If there was a problem coyote, then I would be in favor of relocation.
I laugh at people that are afraid of coyotes, because coyotes are more afraid of people. In Wisconsin, they have wolves & coyotes and the people have managed to live side by side without killing them. I think the people in Wheaton need to come up with other solutions to the problem then just to kill all the coyotes. People need to watch their pets at night. It is hard for a coyote to distinguish between a Toy Poodle and a rabbit when they are hungry.
Save the coyotes! They were here first!

We will have them send them by your house

[Sue]

Taxpayer wrote:

<quoted text>We will have them send them by your house

Send the coyotes my way! That is fine, because they are already at my house and there isn't a problem! People laugh at Wheaton.... because everyone has coyotes by them. You guys are acting like this is a NEW problem... OMG! My 11 year old daughter isn't even scared of a Coyote. She walked to the bus stop as she saw one across the street. It just ran away. No big deal! You guys are acting worse then children!

There are Bears in Wisconsin that cross people's backyards all the time... Wisconsin towns don't vote to kill all the bears! They even have wolves and bobcats... I think you people need to do some research and visit a zoo... Be responsible pet owners and watch your Dog!

I do not believe that any coyote would come up to a person and snatch the dog that they are walking on a leash.. I walk my dog all the time and see coyotes. They have never bothered me. So what if a coyote can jump a fence. Are you going to have their feet cut off too? Did you know that foxes kill small dogs too? Should we kill foxes too? What about Eagles? They have been known to capture dogs. What about German Shepards, Pitbulls, Dobermans, and those mean labs.... should all of them be killed to, because one of them killed a chihuahua?

I am so happy I don't live by you!

Maybe you all should live in a Cave... You people don't respect Wildlife and are extremely selfish.

Send the coyotes by me... They are welcome here! We have them in Oswego (Population of people 35,000)... There isn't a problem. People in Oswego have Common Sense!

I am sure Arizona, Texas, and Indiana are laughing at you as well.

[Sue]

Love Wheaton IL wrote:

Dont be jealous us rich snooty people that yall call us live in Wheaton with our million dollar houses.Dont Hate!! we are living happily and lavishly... kill those coyotes kill them!!!!!!!!!!

Not jealous one bit! I grew up in Wheaton, and my parents still live there! I am thankful I don't live by you!

[Ed Teune]

Ill resident wrote:

I do not live in Wheaton but If i find out my tax dollors are being spent to kill coyote it will saden me. You rich yuppy scum in them burbs build your 4hundred thousand dollor homes and let your little dogs out at night. Just kill the coyote thats the answer, whatcha going to do in the spring kill the rabbits cause there eating your flowers? Kill the squelrill cause your lawn has holes? JUST REMEMBER THE COYOTE WAS THERE LONG BEFORE YOU AND HE WILL REMAIN THERE LONG AFTER YOUR YUPPY SELVES FORECLOSE ON YOUR HOMES

While I agree that killing a coyote solves nothing (another one will just move in), your post is as ignorant and abusive as those you deride. While nature is important and we should respect it and the critters in nature, people are important too and you should treat people with more respect. Have a little respect for your fellow human beings or you risk appearing to not be one yourself.:)

[Taxpayer]

Ed Teune wrote:

<quoted text>
While I agree that killing a coyote solves nothing (another one will just move in), your post is as ignorant and abusive as those you deride. While nature is important and we should respect it and the critters in nature, people are important too and you should treat people with more respect. Have a little respect for your fellow human beings or you risk appearing to not be one yourself.:)

Bravo you are so correct

[Ill resident]

Have we all forgotten that animals are unable to speak? To think of killing an innocent animal that can't even talk. THAT is cruel and inhumane under any circumstances. As horrific as it is, children will grow up and then can at least speak about the abuse they sustained. I hope one day people will speak out for all animals, since they can't. Just something I truly hope Mayor Gresk will keep in mind.