STREETERVILLE — A coyote trapped in an empty Streeterville lot for several days had Animal Care and Control workers on the run Wednesday morning trying to catch it.
The animal has been stuck inside a lot near Northwestern Memorial Hospital bounded by Fairbanks Court, Erie Street, Huron Street and McClurg Court, area workers and residents said.
One nearby employee said they notified Chicago Animal Care and Control Tuesday.
Late Wednesday morning, a Northwestern Memorial Hospital security crew was on the scene with a cart trying to capture the animal — who outran them at a rapid clip, according to this video shot by a witness.
And then, they tried to sneak up on the coyote. That didn't work either.
I think a tranquilizer would be a lot less traumatizing to the animal & more effective than a snow plow. https://t.co/4Pg081xk6f
— Brendan Reilly (@AldReilly) February 17, 2016
"Why haven't they caught it yet? I feel so bad for it, it just keeps going back and forth. How is it eating?" said Joyce Dunne, who was in the neighborhood Wednesday morning and among many stopping at the fence to gawk at the animal.
My 4 year old son wants to name the "Chicago coyote" in streeterville 'Howell' the coyote. @nbcchicago pic.twitter.com/Q3WigQrNzN
— E Lakeview (@futureofwrigley) February 17, 2016
What should we name the Streeterville coyote? https://t.co/9vJYaCGmAA @DNAinfoCHI pic.twitter.com/qit7m19ZCE
— Tanveer Ali (@tanveerali) February 17, 2016
Animal Control fielded multiple calls about the coyote late Tuesday and early Wednesday, including one 6 a.m. report that the animal was "gated into the corner of the lot" at 700 N. Fairbanks Court, a spokesman said.
Animal control arrived with a tranquilizer gun and a lariat meant for catching the canine, but eventually left the scene Wednesday afternoon without the coyote after conferring with Chicago Police. Animal Control workers said the animal would "move on once he ran out of bunnies."
Ald. Brendan Reilly (42nd), whose ward includes the lot, later tweeted that Animal Control crews will return to the site Wednesday to tranquilize and safely relocate the coyote. Ivan Capifali, an Animal Control spokesman, confirmed crews will return to the site Wednesday night when "foot traffic dies down a bit."
@DNAinfoCHI @dnainfo_breen Coyote Update: I've confirmed w Animal Care & Control the little guy will be tranquilized and moved safely today.
— Brendan Reilly (@AldReilly) February 17, 2016
Coyotes are out in full force this month as coyote mating season hits its peak.
Check out more photos from the coyote chase below:
[photos by DNAinfo/David Matthews]
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