Wheaton, Illinois, Officials Steel-Jaw Trapping, Killing Coyotes!

City officials in Wheaton, Illinois, (a Chicago suburb) are killing coyotes in a misguided attempt to control their numbers. Four coyotes have reportedly already been cruelly trapped and killed, and barbaric steel-jaw traps are set out right now!

Steel-jaw traps are extremely cruel and have been banned in 88 countries and several states. Terrified coyotes and "nontarget" animals—even beloved companion animals—suffer excruciating pain when the traps' jaws snap down on them. Rubber-coated traps are no better! Bones break, wounds are inflicted, and panicked victims become further injured in the struggle to escape. Some animals will even chew or twist off their own limbs! Victims can succumb to exhaustion, shock, or exposure. These killings also tear apart families, leaving orphaned animals vulnerable to terrible fates.

Lethal methods also backfire! As long as the areas of concern remain attractive and accessible, more unwanted animals will move in from surrounding areas to fill the void. The temporary spike in the food supply then prompts surviving females to breed at an accelerated rate, resulting in an increased population!

Please politely call on Wheaton officials to stop using lethal methods to control coyotes and push for long-term methods that are more effective and humane.

Please send polite comments to:

The Honorable Michael J. Gresk
Mayor
City of Wheaton
P.O. Box 727
Wheaton, IL 60187
630-260-2000
mgresk@wheaton.il.us

The Honorable Howard Levine
Councilmember
City of Wheaton
P.O. Box 727
Wheaton, IL 60187
630-260-2000
hlevine@wheaton.il.us

The Honorable Tom Mouhelis
Councilmember
City of Wheaton
P.O. Box 727
Wheaton, IL 60187
630-260-2000
tmouhelis@wheaton.il.us

The Honorable Todd Scalzo
Councilmember
City of Wheaton
P.O. Box 727
Wheaton, IL 60187
630-260-2000
tscalzo@Wheaton.il.us

The Honorable Phil Suess
Councilmember
City of Wheaton
P.O. Box 727
Wheaton, IL 60187
630-260-2000
psuess@wheaton.il.us