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I know this is an animal post, but it’s not exactly ripped from the annals of Cute Overload. A coyote recently entered a Quiznos in downtown Chicago, heading straight for the drinks cooler, where he remained lodged until he was brutally (it’s not just me–watch the video) removed by an Animal Control officer. I know coyotes attack, but is this kind of treatment really necessary? It was cowering next to a row of SoBe Leans–most likely wounded and described by witnesses as “passive.” In almost all the coverage, some kind of roadrunner joke was made. Which is fine. But is that to rationalize the violent wrangling? Coyotes aren’t exactly strangers to city life. According to studies conducted by Stanley Gehrt, who teaches environmental and natural resources at Ohio State, coyotes who live in cities are are integral in controlling the population of Canadian Geese and irksome city vermin. In addition, city dogs live longer:
- Urban coyotes survive far longer than their rural cousins. A coyote living in urban Chicago has a 60-percent chance of surviving for one year, while a rural coyote has a 30 percent chance of living for another year.
- Most coyotes pose little threat to humans. The problems generally start when people feed coyotes, even if that feeding is unintentional.
I have to say that I don’t think this coyote was brutally removed. It was obviously resisting, but I’ve watched those animal cops show on the animal planet and that’s how they usually handle animals. It looked a lot worse that it really was for the animal.
posted by Aimee on 4-12-2007 at 10:01 pm
Aimee, I totally agree. The coyotoe was not going to be “cuddled” out the door. Besides which, the people removing it had to be concerned with possible diseases he had, and needed to get him out the door, STAT.
posted by mri on 4-13-2007 at 5:58 am
Agreed. This is not someone’s pet Collie, this is a wild animal that will defend itself when backed into a corner.
posted by dman on 4-13-2007 at 7:02 am
I have to agree. When I clicked on the video looking for “brutal treatment” I was certainly expecting something harsher than that. Also, while I feel bad for the little guy, it’s not as if this was some outlying urban sprawl encroaching on his territory. This is downtown Chicago, right?
posted by Jeremy on 4-13-2007 at 7:05 am
Working for a state wildlife agency I hear about and see these kinda of urban wildlife conflicts, especially this time of year when animals are starting to become sick.
That Animal Control Officer did an excellent job in safely removing the coyote. The catch-pole he used is designed to minimise injury to the animal while giving the handler enough distance and control. Did you expect them to lead it out on a leash? It is a wild animal and (surprisingly?!) will act like one when confronted.
It could have been much worse.
posted by Len on 4-13-2007 at 8:07 am
Coyotes are wonderfully adaptable, but they don’t make good neighbors. They often transmit rabies and mange, and have a tendency to kill and eat young livestock, dogs, cats and fox as well as other smaller targets of opportunity.
As with many of the animals that have been romanticized and anthropomorphosed over the years, they are much cuddlier on the silver screen and Disney TV.
posted by Tom on 4-13-2007 at 9:43 am
I think what is more important is how the coyote got there and why. Isn’t it strange that we are hearing more and more reports about coyotes venturing into human areas? I read yesterday about a young boy being attacked in NJ. Is there something to that or is it that people have just started reporting it?
Whatever the case maybe, I don’t think there is anything wrong with having compassion for the animal.
posted by jb on 4-13-2007 at 12:21 pm
Sounds like the beginning of a bad joke… “So a coyote walks into a sandwich bar…”
He looks pretty mad in that picture though. I guess when you’re a hungry coyote, you want more than a Sobe Lean.
posted by Jason! on 4-13-2007 at 2:07 pm
The earlier respondents are right on the money; the animal control guy handled the thing very well, and the coyote will be no worse for the encounter. You’ve got to remember that sick (rabid?) animals behave in strange ways, and a coyote walking into a restaurant is definitely a strange behavior.
And besides, coyotes smell really bad. I’d want to keep my distance too.
posted by Dave on 4-13-2007 at 11:00 pm