Looks like everybody is bargain hunting these days.
A very panicked-looking coyote that was trapped in a Humboldt Park supermarket cooler was rescued by a police officer who pulled it out by its tail, police said.
The situation, captured in a video posted to X, shows two Harrison District police officers, one holding a broom and the other a metal pole, peering into and poking the lower section of a cooler at an Aldi, 800 N. Kedize Ave. about 9:45 a.m. Monday.
Moments later, one of the officers reached through the items in the cooler and slowly pulled out — by its tail — a coyote, according to the video and Chicago police.
“Watch out, watch out, watch out!” one of the officers can be heard saying.
The video shows the wriggling coyote jumping away from the officers and trying to leap back into the refrigerator.
“Nobody was bitten,” said Harrison District Lt. Terence Teahan, who confirmed that the video, which went viral, was “real.”
The city’s department of Animal Care and Control arrived and safely removed the coyote, said Officer Steve Rusanov, a CPD spokesperson.
A manager at the Aldi declined to comment Monday afternoon.
A spokesperson for animal control in a statement said the animal was taken to its facility awaiting transfer to a wildlife rehabilitation partner, Flint Creek Wildlife Rehabilitation. Though the coyote appears to be healthy, Flint Creek will conduct an assessment to confirm its health before releasing it back into the wild if deemed appropriate, the spokesperson said.
The department reminded residents that January through March is coyote mating season, which often leads to increased activity and sightings. Coyotes are generally not considered a threat to humans, but it’s best to avoid interaction and not leave trash or food outside.
No injuries were reported.