"The coon incident was a last straw deterrent after other means to capture/drive off the critter had failed"

The real problem is that that the raccoon is smarter than your friend. Anyone who has birds in a place with predators that doesn't have it predator-proofed is going to take some heavy hits from every raccoon, opossum, fox and rat that's passing. (Let me guess: he used chicken wire, right?)

Maybe your friend should sell his big-bucks laser and use the funds to invest in some electrified netting from the local farm store (they probably don't carry it, but can order it). IOW, maybe he should try something EFFECTIVE. <img src="/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

Sue