September 7, 2017 Residents of a Chicago suburb were alarmed to hear reports of “zombie dogs” roaming the streets, but […]
September 7, 2017
Residents of a Chicago suburb were alarmed to hear reports of “zombie dogs” roaming the streets, but it isn’t what you think.
The Hanover Park Police Department announced on Facebook last week that the “dogs” people are seeing are actually coyotes.
Normally nocturnal animals that roam the areas around Chicago at night, the sick-looking coyotes are suffering from sarcoptic mange.
Sarcoptic mange causes hair loss in animals and can also cause secondary infections that if left untreated, make the coyotes look like “zombie dogs.”
While coyotes in the area are not normally aggressive, police warn residents to keep a safe distance from the infected animals. Humans can also contract mange, and coming in contact with one of the coyotes could pass on the disease. It’s also important to keep pets from getting too close.
Police advise homeowners to not leave food outside overnight and to secure garbage cans to deter hungry coyotes from coming on to their properties.