Coyote caught on Chicago's North Side; authorities checking if it's the animal that attacked boy
CHICAGO _ Animal control workers caught a coyote Thursday evening on Chicago's North Side, but authorities said it might not be known for weeks whether it's the same animal that attacked a 6-year-old boy the day before about two miles away.
The coyote, which appeared injured, was spotted around 10 p.m. in the 1700 block of North Dayton Street in the Lincoln Park area, according to Chicago Animal Care and Control. Workers from the agency caught up with the animal about a block away and "safely" shot it with a tranquilizer dart.
Animal control officials are attempting to determine if the captured coyote is the same animal that attacked a boy Wednesday afternoon outside the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum in Lincoln Park, biting him on the head. Two DePaul University track team members were running nearby when the coyote attacked the boy and said they helped kick the animal away.
Animal control said Friday morning that DNA testing and evaluation of the captured coyote was expected to take a few weeks. An agency spokeswoman said the animal was being taken to a local animal rehabilitation center, where the DNA testing and additional evaluation will occur.
The boy was walking along a path in a park area near the museum when he came upon the coyote on a grassy hill, officials said. The boy may have startled the animal, which bit the boy. The child's nanny and several bystanders came to the boy's aid.
_ Chicago Tribune
