Raccoons carry raccoon round worm that can be fatal to dogs, horses and people. If you breathe in the dust of dried poop, you can become infected.
They look cute but they are becoming a serious problem. As Deb found out, they are smart and we are inadvertently breeding them to become smarter.
Watch the PBS show on urban raccoons.
In California it is illegal to trap and release a wild animal into another area. If they are trapped, they must be killed. That being said, shooting does seem a little extreme. There are more humane ways to euthanize an animal. And better yet, don't attract them with food.
