Letter: Show compassion for coyotes

According to a recent Daily Herald article, National Coyote Day on March 23 was to promote coyote coexistence, "Coyotes play a crucial role in our ecosystem by maintaining biodiversity. Coyotes keep rodent and rabbit populations in check and even help control disease transmission. It is essential that we learn more about these intelligent, adaptable canines and how to coexist with them."

Yet, in February, according to the Humane Society of the United States, more than 400 coyotes were slaughtered for fun in Mendon, Illinois, and lifeless bodies were piled up, dragged and hung in the presence of children.

Meanwhile, the Forest Preserve District of Cook County is spending nearly $150,000 of Cook County taxpayer dollars to expand a cage for a wild animal, when there is a well-respected animal sanctuary willing to spend all their own money and resources (not one penny of Cook County dollars) to relocate Rocky, the lonely coyote and pack animal, who has been stuck alone in a tiny, barren display cage in Northbrook for almost five years. That figure doesn't even include the funds they are spending to fight a lawsuit to keep Rocky in extreme captivity.

I can only imagine how $148K could help in Cook County. Perhaps, helping the homeless, hungry kids, first responders, teachers, veterans, nurses, crime prevention, etc. would be a better use of our tax dollars than enlarging a cage.

More than 100,000 people have signed petitions and sent letters to Cook County leadership urging Rocky's humane rescue to sanctuary, including actor and comedian Ricky Gervais.

And according to an April 2022 survey conducted by the Remington Research Group, 73% of Illinois residents support a ban on wildlife killing contests.

It's time Illinois legislators listen to the will of the people and ban wildlife killing contests and allow Rocky to finally go to sanctuary.

Jodie Wiederkehr, Executive Director

Chicago Alliance for Animals