Wildlife in the middle of the city HELLLPPPPP!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[chirurgeon]

I just saw a raccoon peaking around the next door neighbor's fence. Molly started barking and it disappeared behind the fence. My big worry is Molly doesn't have any fear of other animals. She is of course up to date on all her shots and it is after dark, so I don't think this one is rabid, but I don't want to worry about letting her out into the yard at night. We haven't had this sort of problem in the past, the yard is completely fenced in, but I don't want the raccoon digging under the fence. If it can get in, Molly can get out. If someone else out there has had to deal with these pesky little buggers, can you let me know about it?

Thanks,
Kim

 

[disneydad78]

LOL come to Louisiana,,,you and your dog are fine. You will never see it again, probally been living there more than you have. Its not going to do any thing, calm down.....

 

[crazy4stitch]

Do you have a farm supply store any where close?? Tractor Supply, something that might have a live trap? That way you could capture it without killing it. Maybe contact your local animal control. When I lived out in the country racoons were the least of our worries. I would be surprised if it hung around much with your dog there.

 

[eeyorethegreat]

I just saw a raccoon peaking around the next door neighbor's fence. Molly started barking and it disappeared behind the fence. My big worry is Molly doesn't have any fear of other animals. She is of course up to date on all her shots and it is after dark, so I don't think this one is rabid, but I don't want to worry about letting her out into the yard at night. We haven't had this sort of problem in the past, the yard is completely fenced in, but I don't want the raccoon digging under the fence. If it can get in, Molly can get out. If someone else out there has had to deal with these pesky little buggers, can you let me know about it?

Thanks,
Kim

Do you have a farm supply store any where close?? Tractor Supply, something that might have a live trap? That way you could capture it without killing it. Maybe contact your local animal control. When I lived out in the country racoons were the least of our worries. I would be surprised if it hung around much with your dog there.

It is really ok, likely the racoon will just move on. It doesn't want an encounter with you or Molly any more than you do. Make sure you keep your trash secured or inside the garage, shed hat have you and I am sure it will be fine. I live in Maine we see critters all the time they are in the cities too it is just you don't notice them as much. I wouldn't bother to trap it just go about your business and it will go about his.

 

[SGB13]

I was expecting a snake in the house or something. My mom had a bird fly in her front door last time I went to visit. Guess we just see a lot more wildlife. Don't worry, the wildlife really does run from you.

 

[chirurgeon]

LOL come to Louisiana,,,you and your dog are fine. You will never see it again, probally been living there more than you have. Its not going to do any thing, calm down.....

I've lived in this house for 50 years, some how I don't think the raccoon has been here longer than be. Never seen one before.

Do you have a farm supply store any where close?? Tractor Supply, something that might have a live trap? That way you could capture it without killing it. Maybe contact your local animal control. When I lived out in the country racoons were the least of our worries. I would be surprised if it hung around much with your dog there.

I am in the MIDDLE of Pittsburgh. Not even CLOSE to a farm. Or any of the city parks. If I see the little bandit again, I will think about checking with animal control.

Kim

 

[Gigi22]

We see a number of racoons, and an occasional skunk in our area--we live near a cemetary which houses a lot of birds and animals. Take and deep breath and relax. Racoons don't want an encounter with a dog. Racoons are mainly nocturnal (I see was night when you posted) and are very skilled at adapting to human habitats. In a city they often forage for food from trashcans. If you keep your trashcans outside, you might want to relocate them inside your garage or a secure container. Just be thankful it wasn't a skunk--now that's a problem!

 

[aGoofyMom]

He/she is just looking for food. As long as they are hanging out in your attic, or finding food on the front porch you and yoru furbaby should be good.

I have encountered a fair amount of wildlife in the middle of several cities, deer, foxes, skunks, raccoons, bats, not to mention the pair of beavers I saw fighting or mating yesterday. The beavers live in a marshy pond, with a "few" Canada geese in the middle of an industrial park. Our biggest problem around here are coyotes in the newer subdivisions. (furry vengence - they were there first) They have attacked dogs on several occassions, but don't usually make it beyond the outer areas of the city.

 

[Phoenixblue]

I just saw a raccoon peaking around the next door neighbor's fence. Molly started barking and it disappeared behind the fence. My big worry is Molly doesn't have any fear of other animals. She is of course up to date on all her shots and it is after dark, so I don't think this one is rabid, but I don't want to worry about letting her out into the yard at night. We haven't had this sort of problem in the past, the yard is completely fenced in, but I don't want the raccoon digging under the fence. If it can get in, Molly can get out. If someone else out there has had to deal with these pesky little buggers, can you let me know about it?

Thanks,
Kim

Hi Kim,

Sorry, but first reaction was - a raccoon, phew!
Of course up here, when you say wildlife in the city its a Mama moose and calf or even bears. We have a fox that uses our driveway as an expressway. And a lot of dogs around here have found out the hard way what a porcupine is and just Why you don't mess with them.

I can tell you for any wildlife, your best bet to make sure it won't want to come near your house is to lock up any and all trash or other sources it might consider food. I would also make sure to clean up any doggie waste piles and any toys from the yard. Basically, anything it might find interesting, put away for a bit.

That is what gets most people up here (Alaska) in to problems with wildlife - stuff it will think of as food out near the house. You even have to watch out for bird feeders here - if you have out the suet or peanut butter type of feeder, it can attracts bears. And you will have a horde of squirrels making a mess too.

I would also make sure to go out with your dog for the next day or so, just to keep everyone safe. While I believe raccoons will stay away from dogs for the most part, its always best safe.

Good luck, and hopefully you won't have your visitor much longer.

 

[eeyorethegreat]

Or you could pee around the perimeter of your property. Some people swear by it in my area! Seriously There is a local DR that claims to do this and is convinced that it keeps the critters away from where he doesn't want them.

 

[chirurgeon]

Let's face it, I'm a city girl through and through. The limited time I spent on my dad's farm as a kid was fun, but the wildlife was limited to the skunk that showed up one afternoon. After the 3 12 gauge shot gun shells neither the skunk or the hydrangea bush were the same. At least the bush filled out again. I am mainly concerned that Molly doesn't try and get up close and personal with the new critter.

Kim

 

[two-foxes]

I grew up in Cleveland, and we had racoons crawling out of the sewers and having babies in the ash pit of our fireplace....ahh, memories! We dropped moth balls down the ash pit to get rid of momma and her babies. That was great for a confined area, but not sure if that would work around your yard. Things have changed in Colorado for my definition of wildlife! We have coyotes, foxes, skunks ( our dogs got sprayed last year on the back porch) and sadly, a neighbors little dog was killed by what vets thought was a mountain lion! That's wildlife!!!!