Coyote control debate continues in Wheaton

A trapper hired by Wheaton to reduce its coyote population hasn't captured any more animals since snaring four early last week.

Some residents hope it stays that way.

About a dozen people opposed to the "coyote control program" peppered city officials with questions Monday about the methods being used to trap and kill the animals. Several asked council members to reconsider the city's contract with On Target ADC.

The DeKalb-based company has been paid $4,500 so far to perform an assessment of the city's coyote population and remove four of the animals. As part of its deal with Wheaton, On Target will receive an additional $250 for each coyote it captures.

While the city says it's targeting "diseased coyotes and coyotes that exhibit aggressive behavior," resident Jennifer Taber said homeowners who have problems with coyotes or other wildlife should pay to hire their own trapper.

"I don't know why you would ask the taxpayers of Wheaton to pay $4,500 for something someone can do themselves," Taber said. "Please stop the culling."

Resident Jayson Cheever agreed.

"I urge the city council to end this unjustified spending and concentrate on real issues affecting the city, like police, fire protection and roads ..." Cheever said.

Others said they are concerned about trapping occurring without neighbors being notified.

The four coyotes removed last week were caught in an unincorporated area near the Chicago Golf Club. That's close to the south-side neighborhoods where a string of deadly attacks on pets occurred, including a Jan. 27 incident involving a small dog in its owner's backyard on the 1500 block of Camden Place.

Wheaton police said Rob Erickson of On Target had written permission from property owners to set traps on their land and complied with all federal, state and local regulations.

As of Monday night, no traps were in place anywhere in or around Wheaton, according to City Manager Don Rose. Erickson is expected to submit a recommendation within the next week about whether more trapping is required.

A fifth coyote was killed about 4 p.m. Friday at Naperville Road and Tennyson Drive when it was struck by a car, officials said.