Coyote Charges At Girl, 5, In Illinois Front Yard: Video

VILLA PARK, IL — The Villa Park Police Department said it's been in contact with the DuPage County Forest Preserve and the Illinois Conservation Police following a report of a coyote chasing a young child Tuesday in unincorporated Villa Park. According to ABC News, surveillance video at 5-year-old Christine Przybylski's family home showed a coyote charging at the young girl after she went outside to retrieve her Halloween costume from the mail.

According to the news report, the child walked up the driveway empty-handed and decided to go swing. That's when she was met by the coyote and ran towards the house.

"I feeled its ear and it like almost bited my rib," Christine told ABC News.

Christine's mother, Elizabeth Przybylski, said she heard her daughter scream before she ran inside and shared what happened, the news report said. The concerned mom added that Christine will now be accompanied outside.

She told NBC Chicago that the little girl was not hurt during the frightening encounter.

Villa Park police and the DuPage County Forest Preserve want residents to be aware of coyotes, and have all the necessary information, including property and pet-protection tips.

The forest preserve advised residents to take the following precautions:

• If you’re on a trail that coyotes often use, carry an air horn, whistle, walking stick, cane or other deterrent.
• If you’re followed by a coyote, don’t panic. It’s likely escorting or “shadowing” you through its territory, keeping a calm eye on you to ensure you don’t bother its den.
• If a coyote approaches you, be big, loud and bold. Wave your hands above your head, or hold your jacket wide open. Shout or use a whistle or horn. Don’t turn your back or run; calmly walk away facing the coyote.
• Keep yourself between coyotes and children.
• If a coyote becomes aggressive — snaps, growls or snarls — throw sticks or clumps of dirt at the ground by its feet. Aim for its body if necessary but never its head.
• Report aggressive behavior on private property to your local municipality.

To make your yard less attractive to coyotes:

• Never feed coyotes.
• Keep pet food and water dishes inside.
• Keep grills and barbecues clean.
• If possible, keep garbage cans inside.
• Use sealed compost bins, and never add pet waste, meat, milk or eggs.
• Keep the ground below bird feeders and fruit trees clean.
• Protect vegetables with heavy-duty fences.
• Use welded wire to block access to areas under decks, sheds, patios and porches.
• Clear overgrown bushes and dense weeds.
• Use deterrents such as sirens or motion-activated lights or sprinklers.
• As a precaution — but never a guarantee — install a 6-foot chain-link fence, and bury an extra 6 inches underground. Install rollers at the top so coyotes can’t pull themselves over.
• Encourage neighbors to follow these steps.

Visit dupageforest.org's "Living With Coyotes" page for more information.