Raccoons? (updated w/ pics)

are there a lot of deer where you live? it's rutting time and they lose their minds and do things like smash over fences and act like idiots in general this time of year.

Deer don't destroy things, and they avoid object like an xpen.  A bear would be my first guess.  Racoon? maybe..    If it was a smaller animal like a coon I would keep the doggie door locked!    Wolves, Bobcats and things of that size could have done this damage too, those hooks aren't that strong.  Don't leave your dog out at dark, dusk or dawn alone - that's when the critters are looking for there prey!

Glad your pup is safe, close call!

Those look like cup hooks and aren't really that strong.  I've had them bend straight when I've hung a mug that was too heavy on them.  A large raccoon could totally do that and are pretty destructive and can climb high.  I've had them tear open my locked trash cans and then seen them 20-25 feet up a tree near my driveway when I've gone to investigate/clean up.  It *could* be a bear, but I'm thinking raccoon.

Don't forget about oppossums.  They are surprisingly string and, if they smell something, can do quite the damage getting into a food source.  I suspec that either raccoons or coyotes are the culprit here. Skunks are a possible option as well as feral cats and dogs.

BCMixs

Those look like cup hooks and aren't really that strong.  I've had them bend straight when I've hung a mug that was too heavy on them.  A large raccoon could totally do that and are pretty destructive and can climb high.  I've had them tear open my locked trash cans and then seen them 20-25 feet up a tree near my driveway when I've gone to investigate/clean up.  It *could* be a bear, but I'm thinking raccoon.

Do you think it might have been another dog? Maybe got his foot caught on something and freaked out.

 Reading this story: http://blogs.salon.com/0001772/stories/2004/04/06/theRaccoonStories.html has me convinced a raccoon could totally have been the culprit. Raccoons are intense!

Kyda

BCMixs

Those look like cup hooks and aren't really that strong.  I've had them bend straight when I've hung a mug that was too heavy on them.  A large raccoon could totally do that and are pretty destructive and can climb high.  I've had them tear open my locked trash cans and then seen them 20-25 feet up a tree near my driveway when I've gone to investigate/clean up.  It *could* be a bear, but I'm thinking raccoon.

Really? lol I thought the hooks were stronger then that, thats why I was so suprised.

Do you think it might have been another dog? Maybe got his foot caught on something and freaked out.

Is there a lower entrance point?  With a 6 foot privacy fence, I'm thinking it would have to be something that could scale it.  That would cut out deer and dogs, possum and raccoon seem likely, a small bear possibly, but I think they're more opportunistic and would go for a house without all those barriers.  But it could happen.   

OMG!! That story had me in tears... and horrified at the same time.  It *HAD* to have been a decent sized raccoon.... at at this point, I'm very relieved for it be just that.  No coyotes, deer, bears, etc.  Ick, all the same.  Maybe it was angry I put a fence up, told me (and the fence) off and left.  For good, I hope.

Yep, 6 ft privacy fence I walk it regularly to verify that my dogs are safely enclosed.  So, whatever it was had to scale it. 

Hopefully whatever it was doesn't come back!!

Thanks for all the help!