This coyote is recovering at Flint Creek Wildlife Rehabilitation in Barrington after being struck by a car, lodged in its grille and dragged early Sunday morning. (Courtesy of Flint Creek Wildlife Rehabilitation)
A coyote that was struck by a vehicle, dragged across pavement and trapped for more than two hours in the car’s grille may survive its injuries after being freed by Lake County officials Sunday morning.
The coyote’s rear right foot was mangled after it was dragged across the pavement, but those taking care of him remain hopeful he’ll pull through.
“He is missing parts of his toes, but shockingly he has no broken legs,” said Dawn Keller Monday afternoon. “He is on pain meds, anti-inflammatories, antibiotics and vitamin shots. And we’re using other products to try to stave off infection and keep him comfortable.”
Keller, the founder and director of Barrington-based Flint Creek Wildlife Rehabilitation, said Lake County officials told her the coyote was struck by the car around 5 a.m.
Keller said the driver of the car knew an animal was hit but the driver decided not to stop and investigate, and upon returning home did not take a look at the front of the car to see if it had been damaged by hitting the animal.
Had the driver looked, the coyote would have been seen pinned into the car’s grille but still holding on to life.
Instead, it was a neighbor who noticed the suffering coyote and alerted authorities, who arrived at around 7:30 a.m., Keller said.
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