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CRYSTAL LAKE, IL — The city of Crystal Lake has been fielding reports of coyotes in town in recent weeks. It's rare for coyotes to interact with humans, but pets could be harmed by the animals, according to a post on the Crystal Lake Facebook page.

The city is offering the following advice and tips to keep yourself and your pets safe:

Do not feed coyotes
Limit the availability of food sources in your yard such as bird food and pet food
If possible, keep your pets on a leash and do not leave small pets outside unattended
Coyotes are less likely to attack a pet which is secured to a leash with an owner present
If a coyote approaches you, do not run. Yell, stand up straight, and wave your arms or throw something towards the coyote to scare it away.
Coyotes are a permanent fixture in Illinois and seeing one near your home does not necessarily mean there is a problem or danger, city officials added. The city does not participate in trapping of coyotes in or around the city.

Wildlifeillinois.org