May 15, 2008
dog versus raccoon, under the house
Last night I was under the house running electrical for the oven. Our house was built in the 20s, and is pier and beam, so there’s a foot or two of crawl space.
Sometimes when I am working, Jasper, our youngest, a white and black Staffordshire Bull Terrier, will follow me under there and hang out, sniffing around, knocking into water lines, exploring.
Once I got the wire pulled — heavy shit, 6 gauge, 4 cable — I heard the dogs above me barking in the house, pawing at the floor. Then I heard Jasper, under the house, growling loudly in the corner.
By the time I was able to crawl close enough back there to get the light turned on, Jasper was in a fight with a raccoon — they tumbled and fought, banging into joists, water lines, the electrical that is under there.
I’ve broken up a couple fights with Jasper and other dogs over food or dominance and if you are by yourself and don’t have something to use as a wedge, there’s almost nothing you can do until both dogs are exhausted.
Under the house, I was trying to figure a way to get a hold of Jasper’s collar without incurring the wrath of the raccoon.
The animals would fight, back off, rest, fight some more. The sounds coming out of the raccoon were amazing. Deep, guttural, the sounds of something five times larger.
It became clear Jasper wasn’t trying to kill the animal. He was trying to show his dominance. He wanted the animal to submit so he could trot off and go about his business.
As the animals grew more tired, I called to Jasper, sometimes sternly, sometimes sweetly, trying to break his fixation, to turn his mind to treats, a walk, a ride in the truck, whatever it would take.
I chunked clods at him, I cajoled. Amy stood at the vent, extending bits of sausage.
Finally, both animals exhausted, Jasper trotted off to the opening under the house. Amy collected and inspected him.
Once I got myself cleaned and calmed a bit, I went under again, trying to check on the raccoon. If he was under there, and hurt, I wanted to see if there was anything I could do.
I think it’s good to say he wasn’t. He made his way off somewhere; I hope okay. He handled himself admirably.
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Oh, Deron, believe me: I can well imagine what a chilling experience this was. Gave me the shivers just to read about it. The sounds a raccoon can make are rumblings straight from the bowels of hell.
And if anyone thinks that’s an over-the-top or intentionally comic assertion, I invite them to come visit me in the hinterlands outside Galena, Illinois. Join me for a walk in the woods in the wee wee hours — and listen to the grumble-snarl-growls of an agitated raccoon as it follows us. That sound will spook your memory for years untold.
Also, Deron, from one who has made a few repairs in crawl spaces: do you know how many people get electrocuted each year while moving about in such places? It’s especially bad in old houses ( like mine and yours). I know you have seen it: that old wiring that has the brittle cloth insulation that cracks easily when it’s 70+ years old. It’s often damp in crawl spaces, and people often begin to sweat when working under there–so when a wet shirt touches a live wire that is missing a piece of its old insulation…well, you get the picture. So Jesus, man, don’t go down there. Hire a person who drives an SUV with a fish emblem on the back of it.
sos!
the good news is, the house has been completely rewired in the past five years, so everything under there is stapled and insulated. and the thing is, the opening to get under there is so small I’m guessing most suv drivers wouldn’t be able to fit.
Great story, well told.
Honor and endurance–same as for us two-leggers.
Those SUV drivers barely fit on the way in, but after a few weeks banging around under there they pop right out.
Reading your story leaves me wondering what we are in for. About four days ago early morning I was laying at end of bed with cup of coffee. I and one of my dogs (australian cattle dog with highly sensitive ears) were gazing at the birds eating, bathing, visiting and so forth in my court yard filled with trees, plants, bushes, flowers. It has a huge water fountain in one corner. It is a haven for many birds and wildlife sometimes.
As we stared…we saw something moving in the shawdows and leaves and then the fence top. The dog looked and me and me her. Then we looked back. It was a raccoon. I was surprised. I looked at the dog and said so this is what you have been barking about at night.
I took of to the back yard. The critter was not there. Then I knew it climbed in the hole where my hubby had been doing eaves repairs. Oh groovy.
Tonights ago I heard shuffling above my office and then lots of funny noises. I found sounds on the internet –yep moma and baby racoons. New borns within last two days.
So I am counting the days until we can safely remove them without harming them. I am a softee. But lord knows what she may have done to my ac duct. But she has plenty of what, bugs, frogs, and safety for now. I just need the four dogs to stay away.
I too have a raccoon or raccoons under my cabin and have been reading all the websites that have to do with the critters. I don’t know if it’s a mother and kits or several male raccoons. I heard a lot of growling and banging around the first night I was here but it has been pretty quiet ever since. I know they are still there because my little papillon can hear and smell them when they come and go. He jumps around, paws the floor, follows where the racoon is going and raises a fine ruckus. Everyone has different ideas about getting rid of them. My son wants to live trap them and take them away. i’ve read about moth balls, ammonia soaked rags, fleas, bad tempers, and all I know is it’s a mess under there and I am not happy. I’m afraid to let the dogs out without a leash because they may go under the crawl space after them. The other dog is a chihuahua but I think he’s too smart to go after a raccoon.