Coyotes sighted in Prospect Heights; city offers safety tips
Add Prospect Heights to the list of suburban towns getting frequent visits from coyotes.
The city is notifying residents that the wild animals have been sighted recently and offering a few tips to stay safe. Though coyotes generally avoid contact with humans, they may perceive small pets as potential prey, officials said.
Here are some of the city's tips:
• Never feed coyotes as it endangers your family and lures the animal to your neighborhood.
• Keep pets indoors or in completely enclosed runs, especially at night, and keep dogs on a short leash.
• Don't run away or turn your back on a coyote, but rather make noise and make yourself look larger.
• Work with neighbors to make sure fallen fruit, pet food, dirty barbecue grills and unsecured trash are removed.
For more information, visit www.urbancoyoteresearch.com.