This is getting repetitious, so this is my last post or check on this topic.
Calista and others:
The very report you cite, a report generated by those whose jobs depend "animal control" vs. environmental brainstorming, gives the same answers that I did.
Keep your garbage secure. Keep animal feeds secure. Don't leave food outside, especially at night. Securely pen chickens an adequate distance from the exterior 1/2 x 1" wire to be beyond reach. Electric fences if you still have problems. Vaccinate your dogs, teach your children not to eat dirt and to wash their hands, DON'T mess with raccoons (most of those bites were undoubtedly DESERVED!!!!)
Anthropomorphizing: a derogatory knee-jerk overused term to belittle anyone with human empathy. Developed during the time that scientists believed animals had no self-awareness, emotions, or felt pain. (The same period that physicians were demanding daily ice-water baths for newborns, infants, and children, and "scientists" were doing social deprivation experiments on human orphans.) We know better now. I'm not dressing up racoons in doll hats; I'm observing that they will fight to defend their young, like any good human mother. I am seeing that they need to eat to SURVIVE, and don't have freezers packed with goodies. I have handled orphaned and injured racoons since childhood; they are amazing creatures. Even if they WEREN'T, that doesn't give justification for taking life inhumanely or without extreme attempts to avoid it.
Raccoon "latrines"; clean up your food sources. You carry e-coli too, and guess where a lot of it goes?
Parasites: again, take proper care of your pets, livestock, and children, and it's not an issue. In most states one doesn't even need a vet for vaccines and wormers; they are available and legal through mail-order for owner-administration; distemper, lepto, parvo, etc.. In many states you can obtain rabies vaccine legally, although that does not hold in court as vaccinated if your dog bites a human (but you'll still know he is protected.)
Although racoons can carry other rabies variants, per CDC site earlier cited, there has been NO confirmed human case of rabies from raccoon variant.
The problem here is "MY" MY yard, MY animals, MY everything. Although raccoons are an introduced species, wildlife was here long before you. They can't go to the supermarket. The selfishness and greediness of humans is boundless, in many cases.
Humans are capable of compassion, and although raccoons are clever, we have a larger frontal cortex. A raccoon getting into your pen one time ought to show you where you need repairs. More than once, and it demonstrates faulty construction or planning.
As to raccoons being "VICIOUS" when cornered, who is anthropomorphizing now? Thank goodness they fight for their lives. "VICIOUS" is putting a trapped animal in water to drown, or feeding it poison.
How can you "love" your chickens, and despise all other life? I cannot understand this, and I'm sick at heart that blameless animals are subject to cruelties. I hope you are in a position to learn from fear and pain one day, so that you may understand that creating terror and suffering is inexcusable.
I love having chickens. I am fond of them, and it is my RESPONSIBILITY to keep them safe. And I DO--with my brain and hands, not chemicals or bullets.
Calista: your (by-line?) about chickens with teeth means something---it refers to usually unwarranted fear of things outside your knowledge or comfort zone. Very appropriate.
I swear to you, they are not monsters. They are small, intelligent mammals with emotions and a will to live, just like you. You take precautions from mosquito bites; raccoons are less of an infectious threat to your and yours. Don't let fear-mongering press convince you that YOU are in danger from all other life-forms.
SHARE THE PLANET.
