[Jeff Higgins]

Sad day in the neighborhood - by neighbor's dog was attacked and killed by raccoons the other night. Leica was three years old, and good pals with my five year old Golden, Katie. My neighbor Serge and his whole family are simply beside themselves. They have four kids, the oldest girl just having started middle school, and the youngest boy still in diapers. Just sad...

They apparently let her out when she was making a fuss at the back door, as dogs are wont to do. They heard a horrible fight followed very quickly by a deafening silence. They couldn't even get to the back door and turn the light on before it was over. The raccoons ran when the door opened and the lights came on, and Leica was dead before Serge had a chance.

I've seen raccoons around here for the entire 25 years I've lived in this neighborhood. At least once or twice a month I'll see them when I head out to go to work in the morning. I guess I never really saw them as a threat in any way, although I'm fully aware they are wild animals and not to be trifled with. It's always bothered me that some neighbors think they are cute and feed them. I've never said anything, but as this news spreads through the 'hood, it might be a good time to have a little "heart to heart" with those that have been feeding them.

This just sucks.