Wheeling man cited for trap that killed dog

A Wheeling man has been ticketed by state conservation police for setting a trap that killed a dog in a Libertyville park, police said.

William Cokenower, 71, of the 200 block of Center Street, was ticketed for trapping without the property owner's permission, a misdemeanor.

Cokenower had been authorized to set traps for muskrat at the White Deer Run Golf Course off Greggs Parkway in Vernon Hills, Libertyville Police Chief Pat Carey said.

At least one of the traps, however, was set in a wooded area in Libertyville's Charles Brown Park, which borders the golf course and is near its 13th hole, Carey said.

No markers signal the property line in the area, Carey said.

On Nov. 15, that trap killed a pet dog that had run into the park during a walk on the golf course with its owner, a Mundelein resident, police said.

Under state law, trapping can only be done with the authorization of the property owner, Carey said.

"The village of Libertyville never gave that authorization, nor was it asked for it," he said.

Vernon Hills and Libertyville police investigated the dog's death, as did conservation police. Cokenower was charged Dec. 12, police said.

The crime is punishable by a $75 fine, Carey said.