A coyote lies captured in a trap on public state land just south of St. George, Washington County, Utah, Jan. 14, 2019 | Photo by Joseph Witham, St. George News

ST. GEORGE — A coyote caught in a trap near a road south of St. George and Washington City on public land frequented by outdoor enthusiasts has ignited concerns about wildlife welfare and the safety of pets and children.

Jill Chatelain’s day started as a routine Monday morning when she joined her friend for a walk with their three dogs along a dirt road just south of the Little Valley area, but the day soon made an upsetting turn.

About 2 miles into their walk through rocky, red-dirt terrain in the hills just west of St. George Regional Airport, the pair’s dogs began barking incessantly near a patch of bushes in a dry…