Help! What WAS this?

[WooingWyandotte]

Alrighty, I'll do that now. Thanks for the help guys!

 

[ChikeeMomma]

I was thinking of a mink or marten, also. I'd think they'd prefer the boonies. They are of the weasel family, but are much larger than a weasel. I think the marten is the largest of the two, but not sure on it's exact size. I've always thought of those to be pretty smart critters, too.

 

[swatchick]

I'm on the west coast, and I would guess either a ringtail or a long-tail weasel...

 

[WooingWyandotte]

Well, I looked up vidoes of raccoons in running, walking, etc. showed them to my mom and she thinks it was a raccoon that she saw. But the way it was stalking Ramona, was like a cat. In fact, if my mom had come out any later than she did...Ramona wouldn't be here. You know how a cat stalks, how it's front legs are low to the ground and tail flicking.

 

[duckinnut]

Quote:
Doesnt sound like typical raccoon behavior. Never known them to stalk anything more of oppertunists but stranger things have happened. Could it have been a feral or house cat? Given your description of 12" high which is huge for a cat or raccoon. Even if it were a raccoon,at that size I just cant see it being cat-like in any manner. Quite possibly a fox of some sorts but pulling the door off cant think it would do that. I am going still go with mink or as other poster suggested a marten. Both from the same family.

The more I think about it got say a fisher and there is a population on the west coast of significant size.

 

[Achickenwrangler#1]

Mink

 

[Oregon Blues]

Could have been an escaped monkey. They will eat chickens.

 

[Uniontown Poultry]

I'm thinking raccoon or a fisher. Raccoons can get pretty big if they eat enough. My ex-brother in law shot one in a Nebraska cornfield that he said was over 35 lbs. I am scared of raccoons... maybe he was just trying to mess with me. He said it was delicious, too.

 

[Bear Foot Farm]

Mink

Mink don't have long legs as decribed in the OP​

 

[duckinnut]

Quote:
35lb raccoon,the thing must have looked like a beachball with feet!!! Think he might have been funning with you. Even at 20lbs thats a large coon.