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Raccoons Invade California Enclave
AP ^ | 11/17/06 | NOAKI SCHWARTZ

Posted on 11/17/2006 1:04:55 PM PST by kiriath_jearim

LOS ANGELES -- One balmy summer night, Larna Hartnack awoke to the cries of her dog Charlie and, to her horror, found the Dalmatian in a battle for her life -- pinned by a gang of raccoons that tore into her flesh and nearly gnawed off her tail.

Charlie survived. But recurring raccoon attacks on dogs and other creatures have unnerved people along the Venice Canals, a funky, well-to-do beach neighborhood packed with ardent dog lovers, many of whom are now afraid to walk their pets at night or leave them alone in the back yard.

Communities around the country are plagued by destructive or aggressive raccoons, and many of them routinely trap, remove and even kill the animals. But this being California, the city's animal-control agency is instead urging people to try to get along with the raccoons -- a notion that strikes some as political correctness gone wild.

"What we're trying to inculcate in the L.A. community is a reverence for life. If we have more reverence for life, it translates into all our programs -- for women and infants, the elderly and everybody in our community," said Ed Boks, the head of Los Angeles Animal Services.

"As we develop these programs that demonstrate our compassion for creatures completely at our mercy, it makes for a more compassionate society all the way around."

Wildlife experts are commending the city for resisting demands to remove the raccoons. No-kill policies are rare among animal-control agencies in the U.S., and most apply only to dogs and cats. In Los Angeles, rabies in raccoons is not as big a threat as it is in other parts of the country, and there may be more sympathy for wildlife.

(Excerpt) Read more at newsday.com ...


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Culture/Society; Government; US: California
KEYWORDS: raccoons
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1 posted on 11/17/2006 1:04:56 PM PST by kiriath_jearim
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To: kiriath_jearim

Just wait around a bit, and distemper will take care of the raccoons.


2 posted on 11/17/2006 1:06:07 PM PST by r9etb
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To: kiriath_jearim
"What we're trying to inculcate in the L.A. community is a reverence for life. If we have more reverence for life, it translates into all our programs -- for women and infants, the elderly and everybody in our community," said Ed Boks, the head of Los Angeles Animal Services.

Tell that to the Crips. ;)

3 posted on 11/17/2006 1:07:04 PM PST by Mr. Jeeves ("When the government is invasive, the people are wanting." -- Tao Te Ching)
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To: kiriath_jearim
"What we're trying to inculcate in the L.A. community is a reverence for life. If we have more reverence for life, it translates into all our programs -- for women and infants, the elderly and everybody in our community," said Ed Boks, the head of Los Angeles Animal Services.

If this guy were talking about babies instead of raccoons they'd call him a right wing nut.

4 posted on 11/17/2006 1:08:31 PM PST by pgkdan
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To: kiriath_jearim

5 posted on 11/17/2006 1:10:23 PM PST by Gay State Conservative ("An empty limousine pulled up and Hillary Clinton got out")
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To: kiriath_jearim

Oh, make me puke.


6 posted on 11/17/2006 1:11:41 PM PST by Safetgiver (Stinko De mayo, Stinko to the Commies.)
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To: kiriath_jearim

They just need to hold hands/paws with the raccoons and sing kumbaya, and the universe will be in perfect harmony.


7 posted on 11/17/2006 1:12:39 PM PST by Disambiguator (;^))
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To: kiriath_jearim
"What we're trying to inculcate in the L.A. community is a reverence for life. If we have more reverence for life, it translates into all our programs -- for women and infants, the elderly and everybody in our community," said Ed Boks, the head of Los Angeles Animal Services.

And abortion under any and all circumstances translates into reverence for life how, exactly?

Un-frieking-believable.

8 posted on 11/17/2006 1:12:40 PM PST by E. Pluribus Unum (Islam is a religion of peace, and Muslims reserve the right to kill anyone who says otherwise.)
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To: kiriath_jearim

Maybe one of those laws outlawing wearing masks on the street will help.


9 posted on 11/17/2006 1:14:17 PM PST by No Truce With Kings (The opinions expressed are mine! Mine! MINE! All Mine!)
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To: kiriath_jearim

Last week a coyote planted himself in front of my house waiting for me to put my dog out. His hide now graces the wall of my woodshed.


10 posted on 11/17/2006 1:17:13 PM PST by Spok (What if the Hokey Pokey IS what it's all about?)
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To: kiriath_jearim

Too bad Ed didn't publish his address. I'd know where to dump all those raccoons we have once we trap them.


11 posted on 11/17/2006 1:20:10 PM PST by ArmstedFragg
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To: kiriath_jearim

Can't we all just get along. (Rodney King)


12 posted on 11/17/2006 1:24:46 PM PST by 70th Division (If we loose the Republic we have lost it all.)
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To: Spok

So you took him to the woodshed then?


13 posted on 11/17/2006 1:25:11 PM PST by Redcitizen (This tagline is 100 percent Trans Fat free)
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To: kiriath_jearim
"But recurring raccoon attacks on dogs and other creatures have unnerved people along the Venice Canals,..


Here ya go coonie, Fred sez: "Attack this!!!"

/jasper

14 posted on 11/17/2006 1:30:35 PM PST by Jasper (Stand Fast, Craigellachie !)
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To: kiriath_jearim
"I am a crazy rabid squirrel--er, raccoon"

15 posted on 11/17/2006 1:33:29 PM PST by raccoonradio
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To: Spok

16 posted on 11/17/2006 1:33:43 PM PST by Mat_Helm
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To: ArmstedFragg
Years ago, I rented a house with a couple of other guys. A raccoon ate a hole in the roof, and was living in the attic.

It was quite disquieting to hear the dang thing run back and forth across the ceilings in the bedrooms at night.

The landlord finally fixed the roof after a heavy rainstorm managed to dump a gallon of water an hour into the kitchen.

My clymer of an ex-father-in-law had a problem with red squirrels in his attic. He had a hav-a-hart, some peanut butter
and apples, and a nearby river.

17 posted on 11/17/2006 1:35:59 PM PST by Calvin Locke
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To: Jasper

OK, you've got me. What breed/breed mix is he? He's a great looking dog.


18 posted on 11/17/2006 1:36:29 PM PST by libstripper (!!)
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To: kiriath_jearim

"Momma always use to chase coons away under the porch with a broom".


19 posted on 11/17/2006 1:38:08 PM PST by DownInFlames
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To: kiriath_jearim

any dog that fears a coon deserves to die


20 posted on 11/17/2006 1:40:01 PM PST by bert (K.E. N.P. Rozerem commercials give me nightmares)
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