READER REPORT: Was a raccoon the bandit?

From the inbox, a reader report just a little too unusual for our ongoing Lost/Found (Non-Pets) section, and maybe not quite Crime Watch:

In the Very Odd Theft category, in the 3200 block of 44th Ave SW, a raccoon stole a fountain pump out of our water feature. It was gray with an approximately five-foot electrical cord affixed to it. They took just the pump, not other parts, so it’s of no use as is. If someone finds it we’d love to get it back.

We wouldn’t have believed it, but a piece of foam filter was left in the yard (as evidence), plus there’s been ongoing signs of a raccoon messing with the fountain & pump. It also became more believable after my brother told me that, while camping, they saw a raccoon drag their backpack into the river! Please let us know through the blog if it should turn up somewhere. We’ve already scoured our yard (though it could be stuck in a bush or tree).

Email us at westseattleblog@gmail.com and we’ll connect you.

The "Victim" July 30, 2022 (10:33 am)

Thank you for posting this, WSB! Somehow the suspect seemed to have developed a fascination with that pump of late. We didn’t see him or her in action, but saw signs. That pump cost a pretty penny so we’re not thrilled, but do know the suspected bandit was just being a racoon. Perhaps the pump got in the way of bathing, so a mesh cover may be in order.I’ll be away from email today, but in the off chance someone comes across the pump and affixed cord I’ll reply tonight or tomorrow.

Jethro Marx July 30, 2022 (12:03 pm)

Raccoons love bathing; I bet this one has dreams of their very own shower, with the gumption and disdain for property rights to get it done.

zephyr July 30, 2022 (12:31 pm)

12:24 pm Quote from the article: “It also became more believable after my brother told me that, while
camping, they saw a raccoon drag their backpack into the river!” This actually happened to me once down in Big Sur State Park, California. We were on a long trip into the wilderness and got too tired to proceed late one night. So we just threw down our gear under a big tree by the river and bivouacked right off the trail–no tent. I woke up in the middle of the night and realized my fully loaded backpack was missing. Grabbing a flashlight I could see it down by the river being dragged by raccoons. A lot of yelling and rock throwing ensued. They were aggressive and hard to run off.

newnative July 30, 2022 (12:52 pm)

There was a commenter story a few years ago where they had long blamed neighbor kids for vandalizing their backyard fountains and through cameras, realized it was squirrels. If I remember right, it was specifically the pump and hoses they were targeting.

Definitely not a raccoon July 30, 2022 (1:38 pm)

Does one need a permit to build a water park for raccoons in one’s back yard? Asking for a friend.

Oerthehillz July 30, 2022 (4:06 pm)

They took the fake lily pads out of my fountain.

BD July 30, 2022 (6:39 pm)

I once had a fountain pump in my small pond and raccoons would disassemble it on a regular basis. I encased it in a concrete shroud but they still got to it by pulling on the cord. I ultimately gave up. I think they think the motor might be a tasty creature. Try turning off the pump at night.

Lola August 1, 2022 (8:45 am)

We had big goldfish out in a backyard pond. Went out at dusk and all I could see was the bodies of all the goldfish laying in the yard. Only their heads were gone. Something got them but just ate their heads.

Sorry, comment time is over.