I Got It I Got It It!!!

[Sitka]

Drowning is a horrible way to go. If you decide to drown it, do not walk away. You must stay and watch as it frantically tries to get out of the cage and struggles, then its last breaths come up as bubbles and it shudders and spasms. You owe it this respect, even if it is a predator. Why did you trap it with no plan to deal with it? Please have someone shoot it. Good luck.

 

[pringle]

Im starting to feel stupid now that I didnt have a plan to dipatch it with.No one I know owns a gun accept my grandpa but he passed away 2 years ago.All I had was a bb gun but I knew that was even worse then drowning it.When I put it in the trash can I closed the lid and left it in there for about 30 min.I then dug a grave and put it in there.I atleast showed some respect to it and even fed it some beef before I drowned it.Is there any better way then drowning it when I catch another?

 

[wegotchickens]

This a learning experience. Think about what you can do dofferently next time. I have a lot of respect for you in doing a hard deed the best way you could, and trying to do your best for the enemy of your chickens.

Best way would be to find somsone to teach you about guns and help you get set up for the next varmint you encounter. That is really the best way.

But good on you for protecting your flock, and not dumping the predator on someone else!

 

[Crickett]

You did as you felt needed to be done. No one who hasn't been in your shoes has the right to judge you. That being said, I don't know of any other humane way you could have done this. Perhaps gassing it, maybe? I'm not exactly sure how you would do it though. I think you did as well as you could, given the circumstances you were in. Bravo for having the courage to do it, and not trying to put it off on someone else.

 

[SallyF]

In reference to the suggestion about calling animal control: I used to live in Charleston SC, worked at an elementary school with feral cats. I used a Hav-a-hart trap to catch the cats, and animal control would come get them. Occasionally I trapped a raccoon, a possum, and once even a fox (yes, in the center of an/urban/suburban area, and animal control only came for them since it was an elementary school. If I had trapped them in my yard, the answer would have been "tough luck, you figure it out!" We did have a couple of businesses dedicated to "removing pests" although we were happier not knowing how they did it!

 

[Sunny Side Up]

Now would be a good time to find out for certain what services your local Animal Control provides for trapped raccoons. Perhaps you could have a parent or adult friend make the call, and don't mention the one you just dispatched.

A friend of mine got cited for shooting a raccoon in her yard (cited for discharging a gun in a residential area). She was told by one of the deputies to "call the sheriff's dept the next time she had a raccoon threatening the chickens and they'd send someone out to shoot it for her". She was also told by the attending Animal Control officer that they'd come out to pick it up. Turns out that information was not accurate

Maybe you have more services available in your area, and if so, take advantage of them if ever you trap another raccoon. If not, then you know how to take care of them yourself. Their populations are increasing along with development of their habitat, as well as those of opossums, skunks, and squirrels. Their natural predators are becoming scarce but their available food found in pet food dishes and garbage cans.

It sounds like you tried to be as considerate as possible to this pest, even giving it a tasty last supper. Did you have the can pre-filled with water before putting in the trap? That way the animal isn't waiting in fear as the water rises around it. Folks say it only takes a minute or two of immersion, only 30-50 seconds of struggle, before it goes. If an animal isn't shot in just the right place, it could take at least that long for it to go.

I wish you success with your flock and safety for them!

 

[SurprisingWoman]

Quote:
I think you did really well. Don't second guess yourself, life it too short.

My animal control will come and euthanize them while they are still in the cage and then remove the body. You might want to check to see if yours does or not.

It sounds like you did a great job though.

 

[River Lizard]

Drowning is such a slow death.

and that's all I'm going to say about this subject.

 

[spectrumranch]

Way to go Pringle! Thank you for protecting the rest of your chickens! Thank you for not relocating the coon, so it would not kill some other kids chickens!

Don't think twice about drowning! it is an effective way to dispose of them, when you do not have access to a gun. I would consider saving up for a .22 to use in the future.

I don't think drowning is such a slow death-

Just compare to taking a fish out of water, and putting it into a cooler with a little water where the oxygen slowly depletes in the water and drowns the fish! Yet that is acceptable by fisherman.

 

[geosheets]

What about carbon monoxide poisoning. Build a sealed box the cage will fit in, with a small cutout to fit up to the tail pipe of a car. Start the car and let it run. The coon would go to sleep and never wake up again. Just a thought.