Customers gasped as officers made several attempts to yank the coyote out of the shelf, finally pulling the animal out by its tail.

A coyote that was pulled out of the refrigerated section of an Aldi in Chicago yesterday will be returned to the wild, officials said. The wild animal was “likely seeking refuge from the hustle and bustle of city life,” slipped into the store via an open door and then hid behind the cheeses and deli meats to avoid the people in the store.

Coyote sightings and interactions in Chicago are increasing as the breeding season, lasting from January to March, gets underway.

Animal appeared uninjured and will be assessed before being released back into the wild if that is deemed appropriate.

The County Commission said Florida has too many coyotes, and wants to see a change in state policies regarding controlling the population.

SUPPLY, NC (WWAY) — You may see more coyotes out this time of year. Well, that is because coyote mating season is roughly from January to March. During coyote mating season, the males tend to roam more looking for mates. When females are pregnant, they look for a place to burrow. Once they have the pups, they become more protective.

It went from me thinking I’m going to defend my chickens to I’m going to have to defend myself,” Lett told us.

In a press release issued this week, Dallas Animal Services (DAS) reminded communities to stay vigilant amid coyote mating season.

In this month’s Journalist Spotlight, I’d like to introduce all you to Steve Featherstone, a Central New York native who has been covering the outdoors beat for syracuse.com, The Post-Standard and NYup.

When walking your dog, keep it on a leash, avoid walking at night and do not leave your pet unattended outside. If you encounter a coyote close, make large movements and loud noises to deter the animal. Remember to treat local wildlife with respect. If the encounter persists, get to a safe place and contact your local DEC Office.

One area where this evolution is evident is in the coyotes’ diet. Unlike their rural counterparts who primarily feed on rabbits, mice, and other small mammals, urban coyotes tend to have a higher intake of glucose and starch from scavenging food scraps or leftover pet food.