Raccoons attacked my dog.

MinorDamage

MinorDamage

Google-Fu Master
Full Member
Minuteman
Mar 21, 2006
1,505
2
Edgewater, MD
#1
Well, my 20 lb mix wanted to go out the back door to take a leak per usual in the evening. The moment he exited the door we encountered 3 raccoons. They have been habitual neighborhood pests and each of my calls to animal control have fallen on deaf ears - it's California and they love all animals.

Before I can do anything, two of them are off like a shot and one of them is on the dog. They take a quick trip around the house into the front yard and tussle while I close on them. I managed to get my foot (thankfully in a leather shoe) in between the two and the dog makes it back inside. The raccoon then comes after me only to get a swift kick to the jaw and a reverse journey across the lawn.

Bottom line, the dog is alright. No puncture wounds. I think he may have gotten the better of the raccoon. These raccoons are about to find out how much I care for my dog...

Josh
 
#4
Re: Raccoons attacked my dog.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: AlabamaShooter</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> Ive never seen raccoons act so agressive. </div></div>

That's what made me think rabies.
 
#5
Re: Raccoons attacked my dog.

Graham (the dog) is up to date on his shots. Secondly, the biggest of the three went for him. I assume it was a mother protecting her young. Lastly, they regularly approach humans in the neighborhood and have zero fear. The one that I "punted" did not look ill at all and ceased acting aggressively the moment the dog was back inside.

Bottom line...these people had more than enough chances to remove the issues and did nothing. I guess I will help them out. At the very least, the dog isn't traumatized. He is acting like he just got done playing with another puppy. Crazy night.

Shot In The Dark - I already have live traps. I dealt with two of them last year approaching my wife on her evening walks.

Alabama Shooter - Suppressed is out of the question until I move back to a free state (that happens in December...thank you Navy).

Just had to vent. Scared the hell out of me and my wife. I'm tired of people telling me I can't do anything myself, but they will not come and do the job. This state has been utter silliness since we moved here. I am getting to the point where even the beauty of the area is no longer a redeeming enough quality.

Josh
 
#6
Re: Raccoons attacked my dog.

I've used pepper spray and have had good results. .22's not an option for me where I live (city). I do have a shovel that sent a possum to the promised land, but that was the only thing within reach at the time. Having been raised in the country, I've noticed that city racoons are more audacious.
 
#7
Re: Raccoons attacked my dog.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Shot In The Dark</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: AlabamaShooter</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> Ive never seen raccoons act so agressive. </div></div>

That's what made me think rabies. </div></div>

They can act plenty aggressive without rabies,been having Big Problems with Coons in the City of Seattle,attacking the Leaf Licking,Feather Sniffing,Bunny Hugging Libs in their back yards and at trash cans and pet food dishes outside.Animal Control will do nothing here,WDFW only handles Big Game problems.As a Result,they have to hire a NWCO (Nuisance Wildlife Control Operator)who is also a Licensed Trapper.Less than 300 of us left state wide after the libs voted to choke us out.These same libs must pay out of pocket to get their problem taken care of.Poetic Justice at it's best.
 
#8
Re: Raccoons attacked my dog.

Anyone ever try rat poison for raccoons? I would think if they eat enough of it, it would DRT them too, and you wouldn't have to worry about the release either. They might even take it back to the den and get whatever young'uns they have too. Just a thought.
 
#9
Re: Raccoons attacked my dog.

I don't know about the Kali laws but here in NC if a raccoon is trapped they have to be either destroyed on the spot or released. When I was in animal control the Wildlife Comm. wouldn't let us relocate them due to the fact they are considered one of the primary rabies vectors
 
#10
Re: Raccoons attacked my dog.

It's that time of the year, momma racoons have their babies - they are fattening up and protecting their young.

Just don't let your dog out and keep the food away and they will go away - I had the same thing happen last night - family of 4 showed up, momma was protecting her baby.

I close the blind, kill the light, 5 mins later they are gone.

It's the absolute fastest way to deal with them without getting in trouble.


BTW, the aggressiveness is actually because the weather change/fattening up.


Racoons are most closely related to bears so my cat stands a better chance than your dog does - they walk right past her but they will attack a dog.

If you do kill one, you'll have 3 more pestering racoons around the neighborhood - it's better to let momma finish raising them through the winter so they'll go off on their own.

Most are transient too, except my Joe - he's a 40lb coon that lives across the street - He's trained to go when I tell him to go, he dances and he is harmless, only the females are agressive..

Point being dont' kill momma and leave her kids motherless, just wait 5 minutes for them to leave...

Pepper spray/ammonia work great - spray them - they will never come back (Neighbor did this and has never seen one again).
 
#12
Re: Raccoons attacked my dog.

Try these, they might not kill the coons but it will hurt them. When fired from a 22 rifle much more quiet than a pellet gun when compared side by side. Just beware that they will not cycle a semi auto and are pretty loud from a pistol. Good luck and glad to hear the dog is okay.
 
#13
Re: Raccoons attacked my dog.

Raccoons also carry canine distemper, but since the ones you encountered appeared so healthy, I doubt that will be an issue.

A good air rifle with quality pellets will work nicely on them with head shots. In the alternative, a 22 CB cap HP fired from a 20 inch or so barrel makes very very little noise. Both the air rifle and a 22 also make for good rifle practice - win/win.
 
#14
Re: Raccoons attacked my dog.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Hilbillee</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I don't know about the Kali laws but here in NC if a raccoon is trapped they have to be either destroyed on the spot or released. When I was in animal control the Wildlife Comm. wouldn't let us relocate them due to the fact they are considered one of the primary rabies vectors </div></div>

Same in TN. Raccoons are vector animals as a skunks.
 
#15
Re: Raccoons attacked my dog.

Look in your phone book for some good ole rednecks (might be hard to find since your in CA). Some are easy to spot by the truck on blocks in their front yard. Anyway like 10% of them have coon dogs. Aske em if you can borrow their dog for a bit. Use the dog to tree em and smoke em with a pellet rifle.

On the up side, when I lived in Colorado Springs there were a bunch of coons that hung out at the dumpster. Being they were in a rural environment and not real scared of people they would watch you throw shit in the dumpster then go to town on the bag looking for food. As noted before just cause it was aggressive does not mean rabies.
 
#16
Re: Raccoons attacked my dog.

You are in Kalifornia like me so ANY firearm even with CB longs could potentially have the cops at the door and you under arrest if you are not REAL good at talking your way out of it.

Pellet gun will not work. Even some of the high powered ones in the .177 or .22 range will only piss off a big coon unless you can eye shot it. Your best bet to run them off is a paint ball gun. They are legal, won't kill the coon and will absolutely positively get them running.

This and as ArcticLight explained make sure there is no food in the area and they will have no reason to come in the back yard.
 
#17
Re: Raccoons attacked my dog.

I'm not sure about America - but in Washington state there has NEVER been a reported rabies transfer from raccoons.

They have a bacteria taht can cause TEMPORARY paralization in dogs, lasts 3 days or so, and can have an effect on humans.

However bats DO carry rabies with plenty of victims.

Ammonia and pepper spray, better that way...

Worked for my neighbors.

Maybe I can get a video of my raccoon dancing..

I've done a bit of research on raccoons - no other critter even CLOSELY related except bears - so they are like baby bears.

Which explains why they act like one this time of year - so do bears....
 
#18
Re: Raccoons attacked my dog.

A few years ago I vent on a crusade against feral cats, coons , possums and armadillos. I still look 3 or 4 nights a week. One you knock back the population to a manageable level you are ok. For a while a lot of chickens were found dead and there were no rabbit or quail. Now we are looking at an excellent rabbit and squirrel season.
 
#19
Re: Raccoons attacked my dog.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: AlabamaShooter</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Im thinkin suppressed .22 to their knoggins. Ive never seen raccoons act so agressive. </div></div>

no suppressors in Cali.....
 
#20
Re: Raccoons attacked my dog.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: KYshooter338$</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: AlabamaShooter</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Im thinkin suppressed .22 to their knoggins. Ive never seen raccoons act so agressive. </div></div>

no suppressors in Cali..... </div></div>

lol whats the verdict on California and crossbows?? In all reality though my pops had a coon problem few years back and he also opted for the paintball gun method. He kept a hopper in the freezer and just tagged em with that.
 
#21
Re: Raccoons attacked my dog.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: MinorDamage</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Well, my 20 lb mix wanted to go out the back door to take a leak per usual in the evening. The moment he exited the door we encountered 3 raccoons. They have been habitual neighborhood pests and each of my calls to animal control have fallen on deaf ears - it's California and they love all animals.

Before I can do anything, two of them are off like a shot and one of them is on the dog. They take a quick trip around the house into the front yard and tussle while I close on them. I managed to get my foot (thankfully in a leather shoe) in between the two and the dog makes it back inside. The raccoon then comes after me only to get a swift kick to the jaw and a reverse journey across the lawn.

Bottom line, the dog is alright. No puncture wounds. I think he may have gotten the better of the raccoon. These raccoons are about to find out how much I care for my dog...

Josh</div></div>

Take your great doggy coon heroism update to Faceyspace.
 
#23
Re: Raccoons attacked my dog.

As far as the law is concerned out here, they are now "nuisance animals" and may be dispatched in any legal manner. I have traps from last year when a couple raccoons became nuisances. I've got a handle on this one. Little guy goes to the vet tomorrow for his yearly check up and his boosters. He seemed to handle it pretty well for a 1.5 year old encountering his first wild animal. Thanks everyone.

Josh
 
#24
Re: Raccoons attacked my dog.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: The Mechanic</div><div class="ubbcode-body">You are in Kalifornia like me so ANY firearm even with CB longs could potentially have the cops at the door and you under arrest if you are not REAL good at talking your way out of it.

Pellet gun will not work. Even some of the high powered ones in the .177 or .22 range will only piss off a big coon unless you can eye shot it. Your best bet to run them off is a paint ball gun. They are legal, won't kill the coon and will absolutely positively get them running.

This and as ArcticLight explained make sure there is no food in the area and they will have no reason to come in the back yard. </div></div>

marbles work real well in these. GL
 
#25
Re: Raccoons attacked my dog.

Dispatched three of the little bandits last month. The fourth seemed to have moved on. Momma was a beast - she ripped a chunk of sheet metal from the trap and broke a few bars.

They had been eating my neighbors cat's food and then decided to come inside my garage one night to try and get the dog food. That was a little too close to home for me.

Raccoons also carry a roundworm that can really gork out kids. The parasite is in their feces and if the kids play where the feces was and ingest the eggs then it will really screw them up. Apparently, the only way to clean-up the mess is to torch the ground.
 
#27
Re: Raccoons attacked my dog.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: KYshooter338$</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: AlabamaShooter</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Im thinkin suppressed .22 to their knoggins. Ive never seen raccoons act so agressive. </div></div>

no suppressors in Cali..... </div></div>


I heard the 7-11 down the street is having a sale on 1 Liter Cokes in the .....................PLASTIC BOTTLE , over ice its a nice drink to watch the wildlife while sipping .
 
#29
Re: Raccoons attacked my dog.

Your dog was lucky. I grew up coon hunting a lot and a full grown boar or sow can give 70# coon dogs a fit sometimes. Generally any bite around the face and ears will swell up a good bit due to the bacteria in their saliva....also can cause "coon dog paralysis" I may be a red neck but I learned a lot of dead reckoning and navigation with a compass coon hunting late nights in the woods and swamps. Show me a coon hunter and I'll show you a guy that can navigate all terrain in the dark and come right back to the truck.

Lots of bait works but they love cheese nip crackers.....
grin.gif
it's all we used to use trapping them.
 
#33
Re: Raccoons attacked my dog.

Final update:

Took him to the vet yesterday (1 year checkup that was already on the books...what a coincidence) and he was good to go. He's fine, but now takes more than a couple looks before going out the back door. I have handled the raccoons before and they left us alone until now. I will handle them again. My method has been tested on multiple occasions and has not failed. I won't be posting any pics of my conquests, so we can consider this done. Thanks again everyone.

Josh
 
#34
Re: Raccoons attacked my dog.

Glad your dog is fine.

Why don't you follow ArcticLight's suggestions... can't we all just get along.. lol

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: arcticlight</div><div class="ubbcode-body">It's that time of the year, momma racoons have their babies - they are fattening up and protecting their young.

Just don't let your dog out and keep the food away and they will go away - I had the same thing happen last night - family of 4 showed up, momma was protecting her baby.

I close the blind, kill the light, 5 mins later they are gone.

It's the absolute fastest way to deal with them without getting in trouble.


BTW, the aggressiveness is actually because the weather change/fattening up.


Racoons are most closely related to bears so my cat stands a better chance than your dog does - they walk right past her but they will attack a dog.

If you do kill one, you'll have 3 more pestering racoons around the neighborhood - it's better to let momma finish raising them through the winter so they'll go off on their own.

Most are transient too, except my Joe - he's a 40lb coon that lives across the street - He's trained to go when I tell him to go, he dances and he is harmless, only the females are agressive..

Point being dont' kill momma and leave her kids motherless, just wait 5 minutes for them to leave...

Pepper spray/ammonia work great - spray them - they will never come back (Neighbor did this and has never seen one again).</div></div>
 
#38
Re: Raccoons attacked my dog.

...."weasels ripped my flesh...." Zappa. No seriously, 220 Conibear Traps set up in "slotted" 5 gal buckets with marshmallows in em, will alleviate your problem and good. Be sure to keep all pet food, trash cans,table scraps etc..sealed or put away, to keep the coons on somebody elses property.
 
#39
Re: Raccoons attacked my dog.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: EventHorizon</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Glad your dog is fine.

Why don't you follow ArcticLight's suggestions... can't we all just get along.. lol
</div></div>

I tend to follow the Buddhist belief about killing things, not unless necessary.

If/when it becomes necessary I would not, nor have ever, hesitated. That is why I now believe not unless necessary.



 
#40
Re: Raccoons attacked my dog.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ArcticLight</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: EventHorizon</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Glad your dog is fine.

Why don't you follow ArcticLight's suggestions... can't we all just get along.. lol
</div></div>

I tend to follow the Buddhist belief about killing things, not unless necessary.

If/when it becomes necessary I would not, nor have ever, hesitated. That is why I now believe not unless necessary.
</div></div>

I couldn't agree more with you. Sometimes, people just need to know there is a viable and effective alternative to killing.
 
#42
Re: Raccoons attacked my dog.

I realize everyone is entitled to their own opinion and I respect that. However, the anthropomorphization of Amercian minds via Disney World bullshit pisses me off.Especially when people start spewing out recommendations on a subject they know absolutely nothing about. Thinking with your heart and instead of your mind is not sound wildlife management. Or any other kind of management in life, for that matter. I don't get off on killing ANYTHING. In fact, nothing bothers me more than seeing dead criters on the hiway. We pick up the ones with fur value or recently road killed deer ourselves. But,I know that most will not be utilized for their meat OR fur. Then, for someone to suggest live trapping trouble critters and moving them to, terrorize someone else or contaminate another area with rabies, distemper, mange or whatever, is totally irresponsible. Maybe live trap them to keep from catching pets (the marshmallow suggestion) then throw the whole thing in a lake or creek with a retreival wire attatched..A nuisance animal remains a nuisance WHEREVER it is moved to. The most humane way to deal with a critter (even 2 legged ones) is to put them out of their misey when they threaten family, home, pets or personal property. You bleeding heart PETA loving people may think otherwise, but here in Missouri that is how WE take care of it in proper fashion. If that is pissin in yer Cheerios..oh well, you can get on my ass when I start giving 1000yd. shooting tutorials.
 
#44
Re: Raccoons attacked my dog.

Had a run in last week with a younger coon that has been pestering my dog all summer from the fence line. It looked quite healthy and did not act aggressive, so I did not kill it. My GSD had it treed up our phone pole. I put the dog inside and proceeded to pop off shots from a pellet gun at it until it got the message.

It ran off into the night, though only after plowing head first into a plastic trash bin. It got up, did a pseudo-tactical roll, and off it went. I was a laughing so hard after that, I couldn't have taken another shot if I wanted to. Funny shit for sure.

Anyway, I just put in some new energy efficient bulbs in my back yard light (wow do they flat throw light) and I bring any remaining dog food in at night when the dog goes in for the last time.

Problem solved, have not seen it since.
 
#45
Re: Raccoons attacked my dog.

PatriotOutlAW - This is actually a subject I *DO* know something about.

I'm no PETA fan.

If you get off on killing that's fine too, I just prefer not to unless I have to.

I have less respect for humans than I do for animals but it's just my point of view.

I don't want your suburbia to be disrupted by wildlife or any other nuisance.

But don't associate me with PETA or anything else because I will do something before I kill something.

His dog was attacked because he, or his neighbors left trash out that attracted the raccoon, it's a human fault not the raccoons fault.

I'd be the first one to kill a coon attacking my pet as well, your dog lived - tie up your trash and dont' leave any food and you won't have to risk a citation for discharging a weapon in a neighborhood.

That was my point.

 
#46
Re: Raccoons attacked my dog.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: SANDRAT</div><div class="ubbcode-body">^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
It is actually illegal to live trap certain species and release them.</div></div>

Fairly certain they're dead when he's releasing them..
 
#47
Re: Raccoons attacked my dog.

I almost lost a dog when it was bitten by a possum or raccoon in a kennel. We did not catch it until it became infected and we had a hard time getting him back on his feet.

Be sure to keep a close eye on your dog when they tangle with these critters. They have dirty mouths and can cause infections where they break the skin.
 
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