Coyotes in the Western Suburbs Get More Aggressive?

Coyotes are timid and more afraid of people than we are of them, experts say.

"Coyotes are actually very timid by nature," Channahon police Lt. Mark Fischer said in a 2010 Patch story.

But while they are not aggressive towards people, they can go after small animals, especially if food is scarce. That seems to be exactly what happened in Riverside, a western suburb of Chicago. The Chicago Sun-Times is reporting that a pack broke an exterior door of a residence while chasing down a dog that had been outside.

In October we compiled a map of places you had seen the coyotes in our area.

Read: Coyotes Spotted in Bolingbrook: Where You've Seen Them

Riverside Police Sgt Bill Gutschick said in the Sun-Times story "in his 25 years on duty, this was the first time he’s heard of coyotes trying to get into a home while chasing a pet."

Here's how to avoid attracting coyotes to your property: Police Offer Tips for Keeping Coyotes Away

According to Plainfield police, the best way to deal with coyotes is to give them their space.

"If it doesn't appear to be injured or ill, give it a wide berth," Cmdr. Ken Ruggles told Patch last fall. "They will go about their business."

Editor's note: Written by Joliet Patch Editor Dawn Aulet