Racoons were not indigenous here. They were brought in by hunters who had Coon Dogs to train those dogs. Some escaped and soon the population of racoons exploded. I don't have a pond so don't have any experience with that but know they are a terror on vegetable gardens, kill chickens, ducks, geese, and cats, and in general make a pest of themselves. They like to nest in attics, chimneys and other inconvenient places. They are nocturnal and I never see them except occasionally a dead one by the side of the road.,
