Raccoon (San Diego: transfer, living in, pitbulls) - California (CA) - City-Data Forum

esmith143 · 09-10-2008, 03:23 AM

Just saw a raccoon in my back yard.

Heard a neighbor's dog barking repeatedly in an unusual fashion, other weird sounds. Went to take a look. Noticed some kind of a big animal up in a tree at the edge of our lots. At first, I thought it was a stray cat. Grabbed a flashlight... omg, a big raccoon! At least a couple of feet long, not including the tail.

He's gone now. I'm thinking to leave some fruit or cat food tomorrow night, and try to make some pictures.

This is in Rancho Penasquitos north of 56.

Suzer · 09-10-2008, 09:36 AM

The raccoon will hang out regularly at your place if you make food available.

NYSD1995 · 09-10-2008, 10:32 AM

Only someone who didn't grow up around racoons would try to lure them back to their house!!!!

Don't leave out food for them. Racoons may be cute but they are not cuddly. They can shred you to bits. They are common in the northeast and are generally regarded as pests.

ranzchic · 09-10-2008, 02:13 PM

Do not encourage them to come back, both for you and the racoon's sake.

esmith143 · 09-10-2008, 02:18 PM

I'm not planning to domesticate him, I just want to get a closer look and take a few pictures. I've never seen a wild raccoon before. I didn't know they even lived in San Diego.

50/50 he won't even come back, most of my neighbors have dogs. Raccoons and dogs don't mix, do they?

NYSD1995 · 09-10-2008, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by esmith143

I'm not planning to domesticate him, I just want to get a closer look and take a few pictures. I've never seen a wild raccoon before. I didn't know they even lived in San Diego.

50/50 he won't even come back, most of my neighbors have dogs. Raccoons and dogs don't mix, do they?

Racoons are fearless. If you leave food for them even once they will be back again and again... today it's one... tomorrow it's a dozen.

1AngryTaxPayer · 09-10-2008, 02:56 PM

That coon will kick a pitbulls butt! The one you have is probably already eating out of the dog's dish if it's outside. You really don't want them hanging around as the fleas they carry can transfer all kinds of tasty diseases to cats and dogs.

SomeThings · 09-10-2008, 02:58 PM

There were racoons living in the roof of a place I rented in OB... (yep, OB...) Crafty little guys--would peel back the vents/grates and climb on in. I left my back door open a lot, and they would come in after the cat food. Scared the beejezus (sp?) out of me! Definitely don't want them hanging around.

Once they figure out there's food, they'll be back... I grew up in NJ, and they would come after the garbage. My dad built a bin to hold the garbage pails--they would then work in pairs--one would prop the top up, while the other would go in and rummage through, gather food, them climb out. Finally placed cinder blocks on the top to keep them from lifting it up. I do think they're cute though.

1AngryTaxPayer · 09-10-2008, 03:02 PM

We have a family of em across the street plus a family of foxes. People just don't know they are there unless they wake up before it gets light. Luckily no Coyotes.

kcda · 09-12-2008, 12:30 AM

That's so strange, I'd never seen a racoon until a couple weeks ago when one came into my kitchen and stole my trash! I tried to scare it away and it just stared at me (fearless) and then went back to dragging my trashbag. The next morning I saw that it had gotten into our trash bin on the side yard. Pulled out all the trashbags and tore holes through them. I asked my neighbor if he'd seen the racoon (he spends lots of time in his backyard at night) and he said "yea, I shared a porkchop with him one night". I live in Eastlake.