Get a couple of these, cage traps are unreliable as you found out. They're pet safe, and mr. Coon will be there till morning.
https://www.amazon.com/s?ie=UTF8&page=1&rh=i:aps,k:dog proof trap
I remember when "Coon Cuffs" came out on the market...I've got a dozen or so of these and used them to good effect. They have their uses and are very reliable...as long as the person using them possesses the trapping knowledge and skill to use them effectively. It's not what I would call a trap for a beginner though...
Their greatest weaknesses and limitations? They are designed only to catch raccoons (so they lack versatility), and they require skill & knowledge to properly make a set (a non-trapper will struggle to use effectively). It's a specialty trap...very good design...but still a specialty trap that is designed to catch raccoons only.
With no instruction, a person can set a cage trap and do pretty good, the principles are that simple and logical. With a little instruction on a few key points, a person with no trapping experience or knowledge can take a cage trap, and quickly learn how to tune the trap, bait the trap and bed the trap to reliably catch raccoons, skunks, opposums, mink, weasels...most any of the small predators that prey on our chickens...even the occasional fox can be caught in a cage trap.
If you've never trapped before, then buy several good quality, well designed cage traps...not a piece of junk cage trap. Raccoons will push right out of a poorly designed cage trap. Course you'll make non target catches....cats, small dogs, and birds spring to mind, just turn them loose and re-set.
If you understand how to make a set and have trapping experience...and your only predators are raccoons..."Coon Cuffs" are a perfectly reliable option...they really do work well for raccoons. And you don't have to worry about catching any non target catches, the trap design ensures only raccoons will be caught.
