rbtglove
Beavercreek OH
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Anyone have a feel for how dangerous coons are to a smaller Beagle? We've had two around recently that used to run when the dog went out on the deck but now they just stand their ground and make a hissing noise. They don't even run when I try to chase them away. When I was a boy my uncles dog treed one and my uncle shot it with a 22 but only knocked it to the ground wounded. His dog jumped on it but it got its back claws under the dog and ripped open its belly killing it. Don't think our little Beagle would stand a chance against two of these critters. I caught one last night and I can probably can get the other for relocation tonight but others will just move in. (My wife won't let me shoot them and we're in the city limits). Never heard of one hurting a dog around here but really don't want to take a chance. She's a sweet dog but not very bright and can't resist going after them. Any ideas?
Bob /Beavercreek OH
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Pawz4me
North Carolina
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rbtglove wrote:Don't think our little Beagle would stand a chance against two of these critters.
I agree.
I'm not a raccoon expert, so the only thing I know to recommend to try to keep them away is to make sure you're not providing them with an easy food source (trash cans, bird feeders, etc.).
And, of course, taking the dog out on a leash should prevent any altercations.
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Economical Handyman
S. California
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Racoon will WIN that fight !!!
Are you putting dog food out on your deck?
If they are standing their ground when you go out on the deck, I would say you got a REAL PROBLEM !!
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FXSTOHIO
Ohio
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It sounds like you have a small family there with the racoons. I would try capture and relocate first. It may work but they are very smart little creatures so you might need to shoot them if and when they come back after you move them. I would take them a few miles away to relocate them
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dbbls
Missouri
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Your Beagle is probably smart enough not to attack the coon. You might call animal control, they should trap them for you.
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CatandJim
Tulsa, as in Oklahoma
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Raccoons can be aggressive so your Beagle may not need to actually "attack" it to get into some trouble. If they are protecting a food source or a nest they may get nasty just because your dog (or you) gets too close.
Our Animal Control will not trap raccoons, skunks, possums, etc. but they will loan out "have a heart" traps that you can bait and catch the critters in... although I wouldn't recommend capturing a skunk that way.  After you catch them you can take them out somewhere they won't be near homes and set them free.
I've done it a few times, I used a couple of different baits but found that a can of tuna works very well. Please wear leather gloves when you pick up the cage, raccoons have long sharp claws & teeth. When you open the traps stand back and be ready to move away from it... we had one come out looking for trouble once. It was kind of scary but he/she didn't get anyone.
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chuckster11
Idaho
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A full grown raccoon can and will kill a dog the size of a beagle if cornered by the dog. We almost lost a Cairn Terrier to one a few years back and only human intervention prevented the coon from killing our dog.
These animals can protect themselves well.
Many years ago, "Coon on a Log" contests were held in the area I grew up in--coons were chained to a log in the middle of a pond and contestants sent their hounds (much larger than beagles) into the water to kill the coon. Often, it was the dog that became the victim.
I would exercise a great deal of caution were I you. Also, coons are a potential source of rabies in the wild and tho it is rare, that is another reason to keep your dog away from coons.
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Little Kopit
TheMaritimes.ca
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I would agree that the racoons have some strong reason for claiming your land, maybe your neighbors land as their territory. I think to get these or any of their cousins out of your hair you are going to have to find out why they are claiming territory and get rid of that 'why'.
& I agree that the coons could very easily hurt your beagle.
Good luck with this.
& I, I took the road less travelled by.
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Deb and Ed M
SW MI, USA
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A dear friend had a raccoon come into her barn, where she provided food for some stray cats, and kill all the cats one night :-(
I would DEFINITELY trap and relocate any that were getting too assertive - it's a lot cheaper than paying for the vet bill to suture up your poor dog, should the raccoon get feisty.....
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tgt
Oregon
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I feel your pain.
We had a beagle for 15+ years and we live in the country. He had four run-ins with raccoons... not to mention the five zillion he treed. Twice these run-ins required trips to the vet for puncture wounds made by the raccoon teeth going into his front leg. My vet said if our dog had been a smaller dog, the raccoon would have broken his leg with a bite!
You can get rid of the raccoons, but another family will just move-in - or maybe a possum family. The best advice is to never let the dog go out alone after dark. Take him out on a leash.
Don't get me started on skunks...
tgt
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