4 Chicago Teens Charged in Coyote Killing

(Dylan Ferreira / Unsplash) (Dylan Ferreira / Unsplash)

Four Chicago teens have been charged with conservation-related violations in the killing of a coyote earlier this month near the Mount Greenwood neighborhood, according to a statement from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

Illinois Conservation Police investigated the Jan. 11 incident alongside officers from the Chicago Police Department, IDNR spokesperson Jayette Bolinski told WTTW News in a statement.

“Law enforcement talked to witnesses, reviewed video, and found the coyote’s carcass after it had been shot on the railroad tracks with a bow and then stomped,” Bolinski said.

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The teens — all 16 or 17 years old — face charges including: 

— Unlawfully hunting without supervision.

— Unlawfully hunting on lands without permission of owner.

— Unlawfully hunting within 100 yards of a home.

— Unlawful abandonment of wildlife carcass on private property without permission.

In Illinois, coyotes are classified as a furbearing mammal and hunting them is subject to statewide regulations, which include possession of a hunting license. Teens under the age of 18 are able to obtain a license but must be supervised by an adult 21 years of older who also holds a hunting a license.

The teens allegedly involved in the coyote killing have been issued citations and notices to appear in Cook County court on Feb. 26, according to Bolinski.

When reached for comment, both the Chicago Police Department and Cook County State's Attorney's Office deferred to IDNR.

Contact Patty Wetli: @pattywetli | (773) 509-5623 |  [email protected]


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