By Krista Kukowski, IL Public Radio
Springfield, Ill. – A lawmaker from southeastern Illinois wants to expand a sport called 'hound running' to include coyotes. It's already done with foxes.
The plan would allow coyotes to be released into large, enclosed areas. Trained dogs would then chase them into a so-called 'rescue area,' where the dogs are called off so the coyote or fox isn't hurt.
Some fear coyotes are too dangerous an animal, but Republican David Reis disagrees: "The coyotes are all tested for rabies, and another thing is they have so much human contact because of the training."
Reis says the plan would draw sportsmen from other states and increase tourism.
The proposal has been approved in the House and is now in the Senate.