Olympia, Wash.
A pack of ferocious raccoons has been terrorizing a neighborhood in Olympia. Raccoons have long been a fixture around homes near the Garfield Nature Trail, but in recent weeks, some especially aggressive animals have killed 10 cats, bitten a resident, and tried to carry off a small dog, which managed to escape. Its a new breed, said resident Kari Hall. Theyre urban raccoons, and theyre not afraid. Some locals now carry pepper spray or a club when they take out their garbage at night. A local trapper, Tom Brown, has tried to catch some of the animals, but they have learned how to avoid his traps. They are in command up there, Brown said.