City of Wheaton "Coyote Incident Report form" and current recommendations

Wheaton has announced a new Coyote Incident Report form. This is the press release. It also makes recommendation of the use of trash barrels; some of our residents use plastic trash bags placed on the curb. Such use should be avoided, to discourage coyotes. The city recommends the feeding of pets indoors, and the storage of pet food indoors.

I would hope that our residents support the city in it's endeavor to control the coyote population, and simultaneously protect their pets, by not allowing them off a leash at any time, and by keeping their pets close while walking.

PRESS RELEASE

Friday, February 04, 2011

Discourage Coyotes from Your Neighborhood; Report Incidents Using New Form

WHEATON, Ill. – From February through April, you may see more coyotes in the community, as this is their typical mating period. While pets do not comprise a large portion of a coyote’s diet, it is especially important to keep your pets on a leash during this time of year, when people may be more likely to encounter a coyote. Coyotes are opportunistic and will go for easy prey, such as an unattended pet.

The City recently adopted a Coyote Policy,  which outlines how the City will respond to the presence of coyotes in the community based on the types of issues that are occurring. In order for the City to receive accurate information, the City encourages you to report coyote incidents using its new Coyote Incident Report Form. The form replaces the previous Coyote Sighting Report Form and asks questions specific to the incident.

Please note that if a coyote is acting in a threatening manner toward a human, you should call 9-1-1, and an officer will respond.

Besides reporting incidents, it is important for you to understand how to discourage coyotes from taking up residence in your neighborhood. Coyotes can become a nuisance when they have easy access to food in residential areas, such as pet food or garbage. To discourage their presence:

• DO feed pets indoors or promptly remove dishes when pets complete their meal outside. Store bags of pet food indoors.
• DO clear brush and dense weeds from around property. This deprives rodents of shelter and reduces protective cover for coyotes.
• DO use trash barrels equipped with tight clamping devices on the lids, which will prevent spills should they be tipped over by large animals.
• DO try to educate your friends and neighbors about the problems associated with feeding coyotes. If you belong to a homeowner’s association or neighborhood watch, bring up the subject during one of the meetings.
• DO NOT feed or provide water for coyotes or other wildlife. This practice abnormally attracts coyotes and promotes increased numbers of rodents, birds, snakes and other creatures that can provide major portions of the coyote’s natural diet.

Many wildlife experts believe that coyote "hazing" can help deter coyotes. This is the term used for actions such as making loud noises or threatening gestures toward coyotes in an attempt to change the behaviors of habituated coyotes and reestablish a healthy fear of humans. Hazing is not intended to physically harm coyotes. If you encounter a coyote, make yourself look as large as possible, and use the hazing techniques mentioned above.

For more information, see the Coyote Information section of the City's website.  

### End of Press Release

Here are a few links to the City of Wheaton's website pertaining to Coyote Information:

Link to Wheaton's Coyote Policy

Link to Wheaton's Coyote Incident Report Form

Link to "Coyotes in Wheaton" on the City's website