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Ask any Elmhurst resident, and they’ll tell you skunks have always been around, but a recent surge of public outcry on the critters is now catching the attention of city officials.
The extent the city can help, however is a “stinky issue,” according to one alderman.
During public forum at Monday’s City Council meeting, resident David Ore expressed concern over the amount of skunks in the city.
“Every night, I walk the dog I have to walk him with a flashlight. The reason? Skunks,” Ore said. “Now why is this an issue? No. 1, the health threat of rabies.”
Ore added that city guidelines for renting out traps are too strict, and suggested that Elmhurst contract animal trap specialists to assist residents with unwanted visitors.
Twelve-year resident Wayne Jones, 76, paid more than $600 to have 12 skunks driven out from under his porch.
“I called downtown and they said ‘we’ll lend you a trap’ and I said ‘lady, these are skunks and I’m an old man, and I’m not going to mess with these skunks,’” Jones said.
Seventh Ward Alderman Pat Wagner, chair of the City Public Affairs and Safety Committee, said Monday he will work with police to make it easier to obtain traps. He said Elmhurst does more for animal control than some other area communities.
“We’re all affected by this ... it’s a stinky issue,” he said.
Wagner said he called residents Joe Wilson and Jamie Bee, whose skunk troubles were covered in a Sept. 18 Elmhurst Press story.
“I just wanted to let them know that they’re being heard,” he said.
Despite the concerns of some, others say the city can do only so much and that dealing with skunks falls to affected residents.
“Elmhurst has the railroads and Prairie Path. (Skunks are) always going to be here. We can’t build a wall around the city,” five-year resident Doug Salter said. “Residents need to police their own area ... and fix the problem. No food (outside), no skunks; it’s that simple.”
Forty-year Elmhurst resident Dante Laudati, 68, remembers the city jokingly was called “Skunk Hollow” before he moved here.
To combat the “parades” of skunks running across his lawn, Laudati obtained a recipe for a homemade skunk-spray shampoo that he now swears by.
“Make a solution of two pints hydrogen peroxide, one-quarter cup of baking soda and one-quarter cup of Dawn,” he said. “We’ve used it for years.”
Ask any Elmhurst resident, and they’ll tell you skunks have always been around, but a recent surge of public outcry on the critters is now catching the attention of city officials.
The extent the city can help, however is a “stinky issue,” according to one alderman.
During public forum at Monday’s City Council meeting, resident David Ore expressed concern over the amount of skunks in the city.
“Every night, I walk the dog I have to walk him with a flashlight. The reason? Skunks,” Ore said. “Now why is this an issue? No. 1, the health threat of rabies.”
Ore added that city guidelines for renting out traps are too strict, and suggested that Elmhurst contract animal trap specialists to assist residents with unwanted visitors.
Twelve-year resident Wayne Jones, 76, paid more than $600 to have 12 skunks driven out from under his porch.
“I called downtown and they said ‘we’ll lend you a trap’ and I said ‘lady, these are skunks and I’m an old man, and I’m not going to mess with these skunks,’” Jones said.
Seventh Ward Alderman Pat Wagner, chair of the City Public Affairs and Safety Committee, said Monday he will work with police to make it easier to obtain traps. He said Elmhurst does more for animal control than some other area communities.
“We’re all affected by this ... it’s a stinky issue,” he said.
Wagner said he called residents Joe Wilson and Jamie Bee, whose skunk troubles were covered in a Sept. 18 Elmhurst Press story.
“I just wanted to let them know that they’re being heard,” he said.
Despite the concerns of some, others say the city can do only so much and that dealing with skunks falls to affected residents.
“Elmhurst has the railroads and Prairie Path. (Skunks are) always going to be here. We can’t build a wall around the city,” five-year resident Doug Salter said. “Residents need to police their own area ... and fix the problem. No food (outside), no skunks; it’s that simple.”
Forty-year Elmhurst resident Dante Laudati, 68, remembers the city jokingly was called “Skunk Hollow” before he moved here.
To combat the “parades” of skunks running across his lawn, Laudati obtained a recipe for a homemade skunk-spray shampoo that he now swears by.
“Make a solution of two pints hydrogen peroxide, one-quarter cup of baking soda and one-quarter cup of Dawn,” he said. “We’ve used it for years.”
