We used to live on a large lake and our neighbors in the small home below our property had a large black German Shephard. One night about 2am we heard this terrible noise.....Jerry jumped up & got dressed, grabbing a shovel sitting outside. We had no idea what it was, but "some thing/one" was screaming. Jerry ran towards the sound,down to the lake...lights went on and low & behold a group of very big raccoons had the dog,they were dragging her into the water & trying to drown her....two were pushing her head down and another was just grabbing... and biting...one was actually holding a large rock. Had Jerry & the neighbors not witnessed it,they would not of believed it. Poor dog was terrified.It took 2 big adult men screaming themselves, to scare away the raccoons.The dogs owner & Jerry took her to the ER where she was stitched from head to rear,gashes to her body..... She was kept inside from then on, unless supervised. There are still, many raccoons around here & i personally know of 2 cats that were killed by them.One was our cat,Joe. The Vet said he could tell by the bite marks.Pretty gorey.I'll spare you the details;( Our cats were not allowed outside, but Joe had snuck out. This was at 2 separate residences,many years apart.. so it was not a band of gang member,renagade raccoons.. So just a heads up.Raccoons are Adorable,however they CAN be Brutal.... Plus in Oregon,recently found to be carrying distemper! Be sure to vaccinate! Best Wishes, Tara Join our Ferret Group!! Club Med Ferrets http://groups.yahoo.com/group/clubmedferrets NEW! Go shopping with CMF, proceeds go to Shelters! http://www.geocities.com/clubmedferrets Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body ,but rather to skid in broadside, throughly used up,totally worn out,and LOUDLY proclaiming...WOW! What a ride! [Posted in FML issue 4499]