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Coyotes Get Protection From City Council: 'Leave That Animal Alone'

By Ted Cox | July 20, 2016 11:49am | Updated on July 22, 2016 11:27am
 Coyotes are to be left alone whenever possible according to a new city ordinance.
Coyotes are to be left alone whenever possible according to a new city ordinance.
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Facebook/My Year Birding at LaBagh Woods

CITY HALL — Coyotes can breathe a little easier in Chicago — if they get wind of the City Council's actions on Wednesday.

Aldermen signed off on a proposal to make the "default" position of the Department of Animal Care and Control to "leave that animal alone," in the words of lead sponsor Ald. Brian Hopkins (2nd).

Hopkins advocated a "coyote management program" that would have had Animal Control steer clear of coyotes. Hopkins cited evidence that coyotes were rarely aggressive, while serving as a predator for rats and geese.

The final version passed Wednesday by the Council didn't impose any rules on Animal Control, but made clear the department should leave them to their own devices unless they appear aggressive or otherwise dangerous.

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