We have raccoons out the wazoo around here, so I know exactly what they're like - I mostly see them on trash night, when they come out to dig around in people's garbage. Trouble is, that's also when the skunks come out, so, as much as I'd love to, I don't get too many chances to set the dog on them.
In a way, I have a sort of grudging respect for the little bastards. They're intelligent, flexible animals, that have successfully adapted to living in urban and suburban environments. It's almost a shame we have to kill all of them ;)