I just read in the newspaper that the city I am next to has trapped and killed 11 raccoons with distemper. So talk of eating and even burying on one's property makes me shudder. Yes, I have buried a few here if it was too long to wait for trash pickup. Don't think I'll do that again. If one comes through your yard and defecates, your dog and/or cat can catch the distemper, esp if they are not up to snuff on their vaccines. I think there is another one, a youngster hanging around at night again. Time to get the trap set up...