Seen a coyote? Tell Vernon Hills officials
Vernon Hills officials will take steps to provide information and accept reports regarding coyotes in the village but officials agree that hunting the animals is unnecessary.
Police and other staffers have spent considerable time interviewing 15 to 18 residents and consulting with a trapper after several reports of coyotes spotted last month in the Carriages of Grosse Pointe and other areas.
"We've spent probably two dozen hours in the subdivisions," Police Chief Mark Fleischhauer told the village board during a recent discussion.
Fifteen to 18 people were interviewed, he said. They reported seeing coyotes but none observed unusual or aggressive behavior.
The actions were taken after a small group of concerned residents appeared at the Oct. 16 village board meeting. One person claimed a coyote followed her and her dog more than a month ago.
According to information provided to the board, the coyote likely was just curious and the fact that it didn't happen again indicated this was not aggressive behavior.
The trapper, Rob Ericson, told staff that coyotes typically don't follow humans. If they did, it would indicate they are not afraid and eventually would need to be removed.
Coyotes are territorial and the dominant pair will not tolerate other canines in their territory. This behavior generally occurs in late February into the middle of May when breeding occurs and pups are being raised.
Coyotes typically eat small rodents but sick animals can take easier prey, often at the end of summer in September, the board was told.
Ericson told the staff coyotes are out day and night. If a person spots one, the best thing to do is make loud noises to scare it away.
Fleischhauer said the village is taking several steps:
• Working with Commonwealth Edison and other agencies to remove brush where coyotes can congregate.
• Use the new village emergency communication system to alert residents in certain areas how and where to report sightings. Mailers will be sent to certain areas as well.
• Update the village Web site with tips and information. A chief concern is leaving bird or dog food outside, for example, which can attract coyotes.
Attacks on humans are extremely rare, Fleischhauer said. The comment of one woman who said the board was looking for reasons not to do anything until there is an attack, drew a quick response from Mayor Roger Byrne.
"It doesn't mean we're going to start trapping and shooting animals. There's probably a bigger problem in town with dogs," he said.
"If you're concerned about an animal attacking an animal or an animal attacking a human, it's probably with dogs."
Ericson has been asked to appear at a future board meeting.