A tipster tells us they took a cat to the animal ER last night after it had been attacked by a group of raccoons. She didn’t think the cat would survive.
This is a good reminder to keep small pets inside at night, as we seem to have quite a large raccoon population in the neighborhood.
11 responses so far ↓
1 c // Aug 25, 2008 at 2:04 pm
I live in Northgate area, ex-resident of phinney ridge. :).
We have similar raccoon problem in our area. They seem more aggressive this year than past a couple of years …
One of our neighbor’s cat has been missing more than a month now… Another neighbor’s 17 year-old cat was attacked by raccoon, got severe ear injury, but luckily he survived. Two chickens has been killed in this block this summer…
Even a raccoon came into our house thru a cat door one night at 4am…!!
I totally agree! Keep your pets indoor at night. Close cat doors, and eliminate possible food source for them, and close garbage bin lid tight.
My neighbors who saw them at night said some of them are small bear size… They are even around as early as 10pm.
2 eas // Aug 25, 2008 at 3:19 pm
Raccoons are thugs. They are extremely aggressive about preempting any perceived threats to their young, and can be pretty aggressive about holding territory. Their feces are also rich with parasites.
A few years back, we had a dozen or so Raccoons trapped at our Greenwood home over the course of 18 months or so. A number of them were juveniles, but there was an enormous male too.
Since then we’ve had less trouble because 1) The next-door neighbor who fed everything on four legs moved 2) We got a dog. She doesn’t sleep outside, but her scent and her aggression towards them when they’ve entered are yard seems to have made an impression.
Raccoons, like rats, do just fine in urban environments. I wish people didn’t feel the need to feed them.
3 HL // Aug 25, 2008 at 6:27 pm
Where on Phinney Ridge did this latest incident happen?
4 Bella // Aug 25, 2008 at 6:51 pm
Urban raccoons are nothing new. I saw some huge ones (big enough to be mistaken for a small dog) in my neighborhood when lived in the vicinity of 8th and Market.
But going back even further, our family cat was killed by raccoons (in West Seattle) ages ago - mid 90’s?
They are very adaptable, will eat anything, and are tough as nails. And not afraid of you or anything else. I’d watch out for your small children, not just your small pets! : D
5 JD // Aug 26, 2008 at 11:55 am
My wife and I were walking up 8th at about 70th this weekend and were startled to find a pair of raccoons out in the middle of the day.
Kind of unusual, in my experience. With this and the cat attack, could there be something causing bolder/more aggressive behavior?
6 Neighbor // Aug 26, 2008 at 12:10 pm
Where did this happen?????
7 PJ // Oct 23, 2008 at 9:50 am
We live by the frisbee golf course in Lipton Springs and at 5am this morning Oct 23, 2008 a raccoon came up on our neighbors porch and attacked their dog. It was very disturbing being awakened to the shrill screams of the puppy. I don’t know to what extent the puppy was harmed, but my father lost two large geese to raccoons and they can be very vicious when hungry or sick.
As they lose more and more natural habitat they will be living around us and our animals are in danger especially during twilight hours.
8 Casey // Dec 12, 2008 at 2:45 pm
I live in east tn. My cat was attacked by a raccoon monday night and suffered from a big bite on his leg and a broken foot. I don’t know what makes these raccoons so aggressive but there hurting and killing the animals we love.
9 Drew // Dec 30, 2008 at 2:00 am
If they’ve got babies in tow, they will be more territorial. Leaving food, water, and shelter outdoors will also attract them. Keep garbage and compost covered with secure lids. Best not to let small pets out unsupervised, especially in evening hours. Tell your neighbors to do the same.
10 Frederick Drury // Feb 23, 2009 at 4:33 pm
I lost my cat in broad daylight where a large Raccoon was known to be active. My old girl cat was alone in our yard, surrounded by high walls when I heard her shriek. I checked around the yard but no sign of her or any struggle such as blood or fur. She was too large for a Hawk or Owl to pick up and I’m in the middle of Los Angeles’ San Vernando Valley so, Cougars and Bobcats are not a possibility. In future I’ll just shoot Raccoons on sight.
11 Tiffany Francis // Mar 15, 2010 at 11:20 am
My neighbor’s beautiful and loving cat, Ginger was attacked and brutually dismembered by a pack of raccoons late this morning. I had just seen her at midnight when she greeted my son and I. We live in a beachy town but raccoons and possums are common place. We tried to warn our neighbor that when there is a shortage of food in the area or babies in tow, raccoons will attack small animals. They usually don’t eat them just destroy them for territorial purposes. Ginger was very territorial but her owner didn’t think that a declawed cat outside at night was an issue. Had to pick up her remains on behalf of her owners and let me tell you….I’m devastated. Sad ending to that beautiful animal’s life. Not the raccoon’s fault, just animal instinct on their part, its the the owners that need to be more responsible.
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