"It’s a blessing, and also, occasionally, there’s harm that comes from it," McCarthy said.
The chief said the coyote population has been growing, because the animals have no natural predators in the area.
This time of year, he said, coyotes start foraging for food to prepare for winter, but that people should not feed them.
“Sadly, often times, people feed the coyotes which causes them to kind of lose their fear of humans," he said.
He said it’s rare for a coyote to attack a human.
Orland Park Animal Control Officer Steve Stronk said “most coyotes feed on rabbits and mice, but they’ll never pass up a free meal... [they> do eat bird seed and all other animals and birds that feed on the seed.”
Allowing small pets to stay outside by themselves puts them in danger, too. Chief McCarthy said that happened recently and two coyotes swiped a small dog from in front of a residence.
“Coyotes did take the dog. Didn’t harm it too badly and dropped it off a short distance away and was recovered and returned to the owner," McCarthy said.
Chief McCarthy said coyotes, generally, are afraid of humans, so if you encounter one, wave your hands and make some noise to get them to run away. He said some dog-walkers carry with them a loud speaker or an air horn that they can use if they come across any coyotes during their travels.