Deadly Coyote Attack Sparks Inverness Fence Debate

Inverness homeowner Derrick Czapla wants to install a fence around his home after his two dogs were attacked and one killed by coyotes that entered his property near Palatine and Roselle Roads on June 7. 

But village officials say obtaining approval for the variance needed to put a fence up is going to be a long shot.

Czapla was at work when he received a panicked call from his nanny who was watching his two-year-old at the time of the incident. The nanny and the child were in the yard near the swing set when the coyotes entered the yard, but Czapla’s two miniature Doberman pinschers intervened and the child and babysitter were unharmed.  

Czapla rushed home and arrived around 1 p.m.

He said one of the dogs was bitten in the leg by the coyotes, but the other dog, named Killer, was dragged into the wooded area behind his property.

“When I found him he was still alive but wasn’t responding; there were multiple puncture wounds and two large lacerations across his body,” Czapla said.

He said he rushed the dog to the emergency room, but two hours, and $1,000 later, he learned the animal did not survive.

Czapla wants to install a fence to protect his family, and his property from the wild animals which have now proved to be fatally aggressive. But village officials tell
Czapla receiving approval for a variance to install the fence isn’t likely.

“In a conversation I had with village administrator Curt Carver, he explained to me I could apply for a variance but it wouldn’t likely be granted,” Czapla said.

“There are more than 22,000 coyote in the Chicago area,” said Mayor John ‘Jack’ Tatooles. “It is very isolated here, and having animals such as coyote, deer and fox is something you have to live with, we don’t allow fences because Inverness was founded on the basis that this is open land.”

Czapla said he spoke to his own lawyer who suggested he install a fence despite the village ordinance, but he doesn’t want to deal with legal challenges from the village.

“What is it going to take, mine or another child being killed to be able to provide protection for private property?” Czapla said.

“I have no idea what to do now, my only thought it to reach out to trustees and explain my situation,” Czapla said.

Czapla lives on 2.5 acres in a secluded area and said he doesn’t believe a fence would even be visible to anyone if it were installed.

“I understand a private trapper could be hired, but I don’t believe the village would hire one based on the conversations I’ve already had,” Czapla said. “I’m just not sure what to do next.”