Coyote Involved In Attack Found, Was Protecting Den: BPD

BOLINGBROOK, IL — A dog-walker was unhurt after what police described as a coyote attack Sunday in Bolingbrook — but officials now believe the coyote was just protecting its den, and the trail is now closed until further notice since coyotes are protected under the state wildlife code.

Police initially said a person was walking her dog on the Lily Cache Creek Trail around 8:54 a.m. when a coyote began nipping at her feet and trying to jump on her back.

Police said neither the dog-walker nor her pet were injured in the incident. An initial press release from police said the coyote appeared to be in poor condition, but later in the day Monday, officials shared an update saying the coyote was found, along with its den — and it appeared to be in good health.

"The coyote appeared healthy and active," police said in the update. "Coyotes become protective of their dens and their pups and will defend the area if encountered. All indications are the coyote was exhibiting this behavior (Sunday). The coyote did not jump on the victim's back, but did yip and snarl at her heels until she left (the) area."

When officers found the den, the coyote "gave auditory warnings" with several short, loud yips.

Residents along the trail were aware of the coyote and have seen it in the area, police said. The trail is now closed and marked until further notice since coyotes are protected under the Illinois Wildlife Code.

A Nuisance Animal Removal Permit must be obtained prior to relocating the coyote. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources are evaluating the circumstances.

Police said Sunday's incident with the dog-walker was the first involving a person in Bolingbrook, and coyote attacks against people are extremely rare, police said in a news release.

The resident was walking her dog on the trail west of Kings Road, north of Prairieview Boulevard, south of Trails End Lane and southwest of the Lily Cache Sports Fields West when she was approached by the coyote.

Police said coyotes are generally afraid of humans and will try to avoid contact.

"In the rare event a coyote attacks you or someone near you, yell at the coyote to make it back off," police said. "Do not run, since a coyote can run much faster than a person."

Bolingbrook authorities have contacted the Illinois Department of Natural Resources regarding the incident and planned to post informational signs in the area to warn other walkers.

Bolingbrook officers assigned to the park district will also be patrolling the park and adjacent trails.

While coyote attacks are rare, they're not unheard of in Illinois. In January 2020, a 5-year-old boy and a 32-year-old man were bitten by a coyote in Chicago within hours of each other. The boy was bitten multiple times in the head in the attack, and the man told police the coyote came from behind and bit him on the buttocks.

The 2020 attacks came as a sickly-looking coyote had been spotted running past staff outside Northwestern Hospital and reportedly had a limp from an injured paw.

In 2017, a rash of sightings of so-called "zombie" coyotes was reported, with bedraggled looking coyotes — some possibly suffering from sarcoptic mange, which is contagious to humans and pets — spotted in the suburbs.

Related:

• Coyote Kills Dog in Bolingbrook Backyard
• Coyote Charges At Girl, 5, In Illinois Front Yard: Video

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources said coyotes typically "do more good than harm where humans are concerned," although they occasionally kill livestock and domestic pets.

"Attacks on humans are extremely rare considering the range and abundance of coyotes," according to IDNR. "A study published in 2007 found 187 reliable reports of attacks on humans, most of which (157) occurred in California, Arizona and Nevada. Many of these incidents occurred where people were feeding coyotes intentionally, causing them to lose their fear of humans."