They are even pretty regularly seen around Toronto still.
Normally they're just fine. They prefer to keep distance, but it's best to keep an eye. Any bold behaviour usually means they're hungry, which can lead to desperation.
haha-- i've heard this in reference to raccoons many times, and i've always wondered: what kinds of things to raccoons get up to that earn them such a universal designation (condemnation?)? like, surely even though a coyote technically doesn't impose (much of) a physical threat, it is more threatening than a raccoon... i do know that they are terribly fond of pulling lids off trash cans, etc., so i assume the annoyance power has at least something to do with it?
they're super cute, but will claw and bite you viciously if threatened. there used to be a couple in my neighborhood in LA and i'd hear them fighting sometimes (when not raiding trash cans). they're also a rabies vector. but generally, they'll leave you alone if you leave them alone.
Do you mean LA as in Los Angeles or as in Louisiana?
If it is Los Angeles, then rabies from raccoons is not really a worry. The raccoon rabies reservoir in the United States is just in populations in the southeastern, mid-Atlantic, and northeastern states.
that video is funny and very cute. but yes, los angeles, and that's good to know.
growing up out in the country taught me to not worry too much about wild animals generally, but that any animal can be dangerous under stress (including humans!).
Normally they're just fine. They prefer to keep distance, but it's best to keep an eye. Any bold behaviour usually means they're hungry, which can lead to desperation.
Them and raccoons, those devils.