Bizarre racoon experience yesterday

[leenie]

Don't worry I would never re-locate an animal that is a nuisance or danger. Promise.
I'll keep you all posted and thanks for confirming my suspicions.

 

[leenie]

Quote:
Thank you for the link here!
I called and if the animal returns I can call and they will send out someone to dispatch it asap. I would need to obtain a "kill permit" to do the deed myself per the info provided. They won't trap so I'm gonna try that myself and go from there.

 

[aprophet]

Quote:
Thank you for the link here!
I called and if the animal returns I can call and they will send out someone to dispatch it asap. I would need to obtain a "kill permit" to do the deed myself per the info provided. They won't trap so I'm gonna try that myself and go from there.

raccoons do not have a season anymore in virginia as long as you are in the incorporated limits of a city should be no permit needed unless you are in the wrong county

 

[aprophet]

Quote:
skunks are rabies vector number one, possums body temp is usually to low to incubate the virus

 

[vatterpa]

I would shoot first, ask questions later with this one. I don't take chances with my family or my pets. Of couse its not illegal for me here. Call your Animal Control or Wildlife consevation officer, if you can' t shoot it.

 

[WoodlandWoman]

A couple of years ago we had a raccoon acting oddly, that came up to the house. It ended up having a seizure on the back patio. We have a problem with coons and distemper here, also. After it was shot, I bleached the area of the lawn where it was shot to disinfect it, just in case, and kept my dogs away from there temporarily.

 

[patman75]

Quote:
2nd that.

 

[mistyfeather]

racoons out during the day is very bad, it doesnt nesisarily mean rabies but their are many bad diseases that will cause them to go out during the day . they do this because of dehydration and a starvation feeling that pushes them out when normaly they will not venture out. it is illeagle to relocate ANY animal that maybe showing sighns of illness in any state, their is a federal law against that.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Any wild animal acting unusual in any way should be treated with suspicion and respect. It may be ill. Some other things that may influence a wild animal to be out in the day when it is normally more active at night.

1. Hunger. it was unsuccessful in finding food last night.

2. Babies to feed. Didn't find enough food last night.

3. Looking for territory. May have recently lost a territorial fight or maybe recently weaned.

4. Looking for a mate. I'm not going to explain that one. This is a family forum.

5. Something disturbed it while it was sleeping. Hikers, campers, lumberjacks, foresters, a bigger meaner predator.

In my opinion, any wild animal should be treated as though it might have a disease, even if it is behaving normally, day or night. No need to panic, just treat it with respect.

I just saw a coyote go by at the tree line in the pasture across the road, about 10:30 in the morning. I do not assume it is sick. It is not normal behavior but it is not unusual either. Just part of life.

 

[patvetzal]

Around here, seeing a coyote (or bear, or wolf) wander by during the day is not common, but its not abnormal either. That raccoons behavior would be definitely abnormal and would result in a quick gunshot, then a call to the township for rabies testing.