Neighbors call for skunk action plan

JOLIET, Ill., Aug. 22 (UPI) -- Residents of an Illinois neighborhood said they want their city to take action to curb the population of skunks in their area.

Neighbors in the Bryan Avenue area of Joliet said the skunk population has been steadily growing during the past few summers and the smell has become a major problem, The (Joliet) Herald-News reported Monday.

Doreen and Bob Swanson described the problem to the Joliet City Council last week as an epidemic and called on officials to create an action plan for the skunk infestation.

The Swansons said they rented two traps from the Joliet Township Animal Control Center and have caught four of the animals during the past two weeks.

Bryan Jones, an animal control officer for Joliet Township, said he picks up an average of three skunks per day, but he doesn't seem to be making a dent in the population.