383 Coyote Sightings Reported In Riverside Last Year
RIVERSIDE, Ill. (STMW) -- Riverside police say there were 383 coyote sightings last year in the west suburb.
About 70 percent of the town's coyote sightings in 2013 happened in the area bordered by Longcommon Road, Byrd Road, 26th Street and Des Plaines Avenue, according to a first-time statistical release from police.
A majority of sightings were reported between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m., police said. Sixty-eight were called in after those hours.
Police warned residents that coyotes will consume anything with nutritional value, and could eat cats and small dogs.
"Take extra precaution with small pets," Riverside police Chief Thomas Weitzel said in the release. "Coyotes have adapted to the Illinois landscape and are present throughout the state, including urban areas like Riverside."
To keep coyotes away, people should cover their garbage cans and avoid leaving food outside for any animals, police said.
(Source: Sun-Times Media Wire © Chicago Sun-Times 2014. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
