Coyotes trapped and killed near Wheaton

WHEATON, Ill. (AP) — City officials in Wheaton say the Chicago suburb’s attempt to rid itself of predatory coyotes is off to a successful start.

Authorities say four coyotes were captured near Wheaton and killed on Monday — the same day the city announced it had hired a trapper to get rid of them.

Officials said Tuesday professional trapper Rob Erickson caught the coyotes in an unincorporated area near the Chicago Golf Club. That is close to the neighborhoods where a string of deadly coyote attacks on pets have occurred in recent months.

But Wheaton Councilman John Prendiville, who voted against hiring a trapper, says he believes educating the public — not killing coyotes — is the way to handle the problem.