Rampaging raccoons killing neighborhood pets
- Thread starter The TRUST
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The TRUST;481374; said:
I have an old one!
and an extra, just for your enjoyment.
Shes tinkerbell.
Residents arm themselves against 'urban raccoons'
Wednesday, August 23, 2006; Posted: 11:36 a.m. EDT (15:36 GMT)
OLYMPIA, Washington (AP) -- A fierce group of raccoons has killed 10 cats, attacked a small dog and bitten at least one pet owner who had to get rabies shots, residents of Olympia say.
Some have taken to carrying pepper spray to ward off the masked marauders, and the woman who was bitten now carries an iron pipe when she goes outside at night.
"It's a new breed," said Tamara Keeton, who with Kari Hall started a raccoon watch after an emotional neighborhood meeting drew 40 people. "They're urban raccoons, and they're not afraid."
Tony Benjamins, whose family lost two cats, said he got a big dog -- a German Shepherd-Rottweiler mix -- to keep the raccoons away.
One goal of the patrol is to get residents to stop feeding raccoons and to keep pets and pet food indoors.
Lisann Rolle said she began carrying an iron pipe when she goes outside at night after being bitten by raccoons when she tried to pull three of them off her cat Lucy. She obtained rabies shots afterward as a precaution.
"I was watching her like a hawk, but she snuck out," Rolle said. "Then I heard this hideous sound -- a coyote-type high pitch ... It was vicious. They were focused on ripping her apart."
The attacks have been especially shocking because raccoons came within five feet (1 1/2 meters) of cats without any problem in previous years, Benjamins said.
"We used to love the raccoons. They'd have their babies this time of year, and they were so cute. Even though we lived in the city, it was neat to have wildlife around," he said, "but this year, things changed. They went nuts."
In one case five raccoons tried to carry off a small dog, which managed to survive.
The attacks, all within a three-block area near the Garfield Nature Trail in Olympia, are highly unusual, said Sean O. Carrell, a problem wildlife coordinator with the state Department of Fish and Wildlife, adding that trappers may be summoned from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to remove problem animals.
"I've never heard a report of 10 cats being killed. It's something were going to have to monitor," Carrell said.
Meanwhile, residents have hired Tom Brown, a nuisance wildlife control operator from Rochester, Washington, to set traps, but in six weeks he has caught only one raccoon. He and Carrell said raccoons teach their young -- and each other -- to avoid traps.
Brown said he had seen packs of raccoons this big but none so into killing.
"They are in command up there," he said.
Wednesday, August 23, 2006; Posted: 11:36 a.m. EDT (15:36 GMT)
OLYMPIA, Washington (AP) -- A fierce group of raccoons has killed 10 cats, attacked a small dog and bitten at least one pet owner who had to get rabies shots, residents of Olympia say.
Some have taken to carrying pepper spray to ward off the masked marauders, and the woman who was bitten now carries an iron pipe when she goes outside at night.
"It's a new breed," said Tamara Keeton, who with Kari Hall started a raccoon watch after an emotional neighborhood meeting drew 40 people. "They're urban raccoons, and they're not afraid."
Tony Benjamins, whose family lost two cats, said he got a big dog -- a German Shepherd-Rottweiler mix -- to keep the raccoons away.
One goal of the patrol is to get residents to stop feeding raccoons and to keep pets and pet food indoors.
Lisann Rolle said she began carrying an iron pipe when she goes outside at night after being bitten by raccoons when she tried to pull three of them off her cat Lucy. She obtained rabies shots afterward as a precaution.
"I was watching her like a hawk, but she snuck out," Rolle said. "Then I heard this hideous sound -- a coyote-type high pitch ... It was vicious. They were focused on ripping her apart."
The attacks have been especially shocking because raccoons came within five feet (1 1/2 meters) of cats without any problem in previous years, Benjamins said.
"We used to love the raccoons. They'd have their babies this time of year, and they were so cute. Even though we lived in the city, it was neat to have wildlife around," he said, "but this year, things changed. They went nuts."
In one case five raccoons tried to carry off a small dog, which managed to survive.
The attacks, all within a three-block area near the Garfield Nature Trail in Olympia, are highly unusual, said Sean O. Carrell, a problem wildlife coordinator with the state Department of Fish and Wildlife, adding that trappers may be summoned from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to remove problem animals.
"I've never heard a report of 10 cats being killed. It's something were going to have to monitor," Carrell said.
Meanwhile, residents have hired Tom Brown, a nuisance wildlife control operator from Rochester, Washington, to set traps, but in six weeks he has caught only one raccoon. He and Carrell said raccoons teach their young -- and each other -- to avoid traps.
Brown said he had seen packs of raccoons this big but none so into killing.
"They are in command up there," he said.
Read "The Beast In The Garden" by David Baron It discuses mountain lions in Colorado, but the ecological significance, and the behavior of the animals is still the same. Its a sad truth, that when humans and animals meet the animals loose. With continuing habitat fragmentation the problem is getting worse, and it is almost always preventable through education and planning. Before condeming an animal, take the time to go to your local state park or nature center and find a naturalist. They will be more than happy to expalian the situation, and how to prevent it.
The racoons are there because of encroachment onto their habitat, and because there is an easy food source. If the public had bean educated, and not given the raccons a food source this may not have happened. Unfortunately after the problem reaches this stage there are few choices, other than to kill the animal. Relocation is a nice thought, but there is not enuff habitat to support them.
I'm not trying to enter into a petty debate or argument here, nature is my life. I am a wildlife manager by degree and a conservation worker by trade.
The racoons are there because of encroachment onto their habitat, and because there is an easy food source. If the public had bean educated, and not given the raccons a food source this may not have happened. Unfortunately after the problem reaches this stage there are few choices, other than to kill the animal. Relocation is a nice thought, but there is not enuff habitat to support them.
I'm not trying to enter into a petty debate or argument here, nature is my life. I am a wildlife manager by degree and a conservation worker by trade.
The TRUST;481285; said:
I've done squirrel fishin!! OH man i love it!! A public park is the best place!! Its sucha riot though!!! Having them grab onto that nut then not let it go. They are greedy buggas. With patience you can almost get them up the tree before they let go. Its hilarious. You should seriously try it. I loved it and still do it....great times!
You guys are silly. Crack my a** up. OK I like "squirrel fishing". I just went out to turn out my guinea hens (who are my snake patrollers) and a little rattler tagged my boot. So there I am, chickens laughing, cleaning up the mess I made, in my underwear and cowboy boots, I wacked it's head off with a "primitive road" sign full of shotgun holes! Damn! too close of an encounter....with the wonderful Washington Wildlife. NOW they want the snake, stupid birds.
Almost all rattle snakes are state or fedrally protected, and therefor illegal to kill. Instead of going around and killing threatened snake species, why dont you just eliminate their habitat near you house. Mow any long grass, and remove any junk piles. Snakes are not "out to get you" as many people think, they only strike when they feel threatened. Through proper management of you property it is possible to live in saftey with the snakes. Contact your state Department of Natural Resources or equivalent agency for more advice.
