Raccoon - what do I do?

[ny biker]

Okay I live in an apartment on the second floor. When I got home from work tonight I noticed something moving on the balcony -- a raccoon. I can't tell if it's still there. I was on my way out to the gym when I noticed it. There's a table and chairs out there covered by a tarp, plus two plastic plastic patio storage containers. So it could be under/behind something.

I called the local animal welfare league which is the only animal control entity here. They said I have to go out onto the balcony to see if the raccoon is still there. I do not want to go out there. I have enough problems right now without adding "raccoon bite and rabies test" to the list.

So, what do I need to know about raccoons? Can they climb down metal poles? Because that or jumping is the only way down. Is this thing a danger to the dogs that live downstairs and next door if it ends up jumping/climbing down into their fenced-in patios? One of the dogs is a corgi. The other two are some type of hound. (One of the hounds barks at EVERYTHING yet somehow was not barking at the stupid raccoon.)

I'm so tired right now, I need to eat dinner and go to bed. I cannot afford to miss work tomorrow if I have to wait for someone to come to remove this thing.

p.s. There's no food or trash on the balcony.

[smilingcat]

sounds like a year old whose mother kicked him out. He is looking for his own turf and without food, he will be gone in the morning. He was probably looking for a safe place to sleep during the day. Even at a year old, corgi could get seriously hurt. Depending on the size and temperament of the hound dog, it's up in air. Play it safe and have your neighbor keep their dogs inside. Raccoons often carry whole host of nasty parasites where the dogs or even humans can get it. You should probably hose off your balcony. Let it dry completely afterwards.

So how bad can a raccoon get? I've heard enough stories... My Norwegian neighbor (deceased) recounted a story where adult male raccoon had dragged a full grown German Shepherd into a pond and drowned the dog. It's probably country folklore...

[OakLeaf]

They'll definitely defend themselves if you corner them, but if you leave it alone, they're not aggressive. Since it didn't find shelter or anything to eat, it'll leave. Vaseline on the railings is a good way to keep them from climbing back up, it's how I keep them out of my bird feeders.



Drowning a full grown GSD? Ahem .... (but +1 that a 'coon and a Corgi would be pretty evenly matched - still, it's not like this is the only raccoon in the world, so either your neighbor is going to keep their dogs in at night or they aren't ...)

[north woods gal]

Pretty much what Oakleaf says. Raccoons are actually very common in urban and suburban areas, so not at all surprised you encountered one. When I lived in the Chicago area, we had them in our apartment complex all the time. As mentioned, don't corner one and you'll be fine. Just make plenty of noise before stepping out on your balcony to give them a chance to escape and they'll disappear. It's when you surprise one, suddenly, that may cause a problem, but, even then, it is exceedingly rare for a raccoon to attack a human. Be sure to keep your balcony door locked, too. They are very adept at getting into houses and such. Just don't leave anything around that will attract them. They have an excellent sense of smell.

As for the coon versus Corgi thing, no way. Not even close. When we were kids, had a neighbor that hunted coons with hounds. My brother and I went with him a couple of times. Trust me, a raccoon can more than hold its own against any full size dog and coon hounds are big dogs. These are not the cute cuddly animals you see in cartoons. If you have a dog, any dog, keep it away from raccoons.

[Helene2013]

What a coincidence.

On Sunday afternoon I was working in the motorhome to get the season started.

We knew we had issues with a "beast" making holes in our grass. Probably in search for grubs. Hubby thought it was a skunk...but told him no because of the no "smell".

Well as I was looking through the windshield, I saw a raccoon walk right by our shed and go towards the backyard. Our shed is cement base so it cannot get under, our yard is very well-fenced and it does not get there and no hole big enough for it to go through. I did not go out right away...not caring much for it anyway.

It is either hiding in the pile of burning wood we have, although it is pretty tightly piled up. Only thing I can see is that it gets under my neighbours' fence. Neighbour was out so I told her what I saw. She was wondering why she had holes in her grass, and why the wood pile she has is a mic-mac. I guess it it there.

Anyway, I warned her because she has 2 young kids. And kids may be attracted to it and we know it can be dangerous if cornered.

I have not seen it since then and being rural, it may come and go. I have 3 dogs (14 pounds) and they would be no fight for this...one is blind, one is just in convalesence for hip surgery...and the other one is a nutcase (on prozac). She would be the one fighting it...and lose and me ending up with vet bills. deuh. So hubby made sure all entries are as critter-proof as possible.

I'm sure once the grub time is over...the raccoon will go away. My wish anyway.

[north woods gal]

Helene, they can actually climb fences very easily. Seen them do it many times. Have actually seen them walk along the top of a chain link fence. Pretty amazing animals.