A picture taken in the valley of a couple of coyotes has been shared thousands of times in just days. It was snapped in Combined Locks and today a warning from law enforcement to be careful with pets is being emphasized. Police saying sightings are on the rise in other areas too.
For 32 years Harvey Wallner and his wife have enjoyed their quite neighborhood off of Kimberly and Anna Street. But the other night they heard something out of the norm.
"Yapping and howling. We had two coyotes come right through our yard," says Wallner explaining the sight at 4o’clock in the morning from his bedroom window.
And while it was an unusual sight, more people across the Fox Valley are seeing more instances like this.
"Sorta neat to have this stuff around and see it occasionally. You just have to take a little care with small pets and stuff," adds Wallner.
And at the Fox Valley Metro Police Department they're hearing about coyote sightings too. Most of the inquiries are coming in about a recent Facebook post from a man in the Combined Locks area showing two coyotes.
"Any area that has a lot of wooded area, open fields, it’s their natural habitat. They’re going to migrate to those areas. It’s not uncommon that they’re here,” says Officer Michael Lambie of the Fox Valley Metro Police Department.
But when police hear concerns about the potential dangers from coyotes, they say they’re warnings are mostly, just for small pets.
"Keep your animals close. Keep them on a leash. And you shouldn't have a whole lot to worry about as far as coyotes," adds Officer Lambie.
So while we know that there are at least two coyotes wandering the woods of the Fox Valley, it’s important to note that they are likely more afraid of humans than we are of them. That being said, if you do encounter one get loud and make your presence known.
