The raccoons of southwest Richmond are at it again - and this time it appears as if dogs are on the menu.
Over the last few weeks, the News has reported how packs of raccoons have apparently been hunting, killing and even eating domestic cats.
Now there are reports that dogs are next on the list in the neighbourhood known as "The Springs" just north of Steveston.
A Chihuahua, sitting in his yard waiting to go for a walk, was almost dragged away by the leg by a hungry raccoon last week.
It only survived after its owner ran out and beat the raccoon off with a broom.
"I suspect this is not a defensive thing as is being said by the wildlife experts," said Sandra Nixon, whose family cat of 14 years, Avro, was attacked and killed by raccoons earlier this month outside their Springmont Drive home.
"This seems to be more like hunting for food and attacking animals to get that food.
"Maybe people are being more diligent with their garbage and the raccoons are going hungry? Has their main food source been taken away?"
The dog survived the attack and had its wounds stitched up by a vet.
But Nixon said many people in their neighbourhood are now living in fear of the raccoons, who, she said, are getting braver by the day.
"I know of adults around here now who don't go out at night for a walk anymore and we're bringing our children inside before it gets dark," she said.
"I know that I wouldn't go out for a walk at night around here. I would not want to run into (these raccoons) that's for sure.
"It seems like they're terrorizing the neighbourhood."
Wildlife experts in B.C. have said such attacks on domestic cats are rare, but admitted that raccoons will eat whatever food they can get their hands on. They also urged cat owners to keep their pets indoors at night.
Now cat owners in the area are wondering if the City of Richmond can step in to protect their pets from the rogue raccoons.
City spokeswoman Kim Decker said they've only received one recent complaint with regard to raccoons, adding that Richmond doesn't have a specific policy with regard to the animal.
"If people have complaints about this, they should let the city know," Decker said.
"That way, we can track this. At the moment, we don't know where these people live or the circumstances."
Decker, meanwhile, urged pet owners to heed the advice of the Wildlife Rescue of B.C. - which told people to keep their pets indoors at night - or call pest control companies to find out if what they're doing is attracting the raccoons.
