Current:Home > MarketsVideo shows nearly 100 raccoons swarm woman's yard, prompting 911 call in Washington -Wealth Legacy Solutions
Video shows nearly 100 raccoons swarm woman's yard, prompting 911 call in Washington
View
Date:2025-04-14 13:41:21
Video shows nearly 100 hungry raccoons − some allegedly aggressive – swarm a Washington state woman's home last week in broad daylight looking for their next meal.
The animals were captured on film after the resident from Kitsap County, across Puget Sound from Seattle, called 911 when the mammals surrounded her rural home preventing her from leaving the property, officials said.
In footage shared by the Kitsap County Sheriff's Office, a deputy is heard speaking to the unidentified woman who says the large numbers of raccoons began gathering in her wooded backyard about six weeks ago.
The woman, who lives a few miles north of Suquamish, told deputies she has been feeding raccoons on her property for more than 38 years, sheriff's office spokesman Kevin McCarty told the Kitsap Sun, part of the USA TODAY Network.
On the day she called for help, the woman told law enforcement she had never seen the wild animals arrive in such large droves.
Only recently, she also said, had they become aggressive.
"She said the normal raccoons are nice, but the new ones scare her," McCarty said, citing a report from a deputy who responded to the house on Thursday and spoke with the homeowner.
Porn in the skys?Qantas apologizes for playing sexually explicit movie in flight cabin
Raccoons 'scratch on windows or walls of her home at all hours'
The woman told a deputy, the raccoons visited her property until they were fed, and anytime she attempted to leave her home, McCarty said, she would toss food to them.
The animals regularly approach the home and scratch on windows or walls at all hours of the day, officials said the woman told them, but on a recent day, she called for help because she said she could not leave the property.
Shortly after 1 p.m., when deputies arrived, the woman was able to leave in her car.
At the time, deputies reported, the raccoons were not aggressive.
State wildlife officials alerted of human-created raccoon infestation
On the day of the report, Kitsap County dispatchers alerted the state Department of Fish and Wildlife, which referred the woman to its "wildlife control operators" program. The agency connects residents to private trappers certified to deal with small animals.
Under state law, animals trapped by a WCO must be released on-site or euthanized and properly disposed of.
Department spokesperson Bridget Mire cautioned against feeding wildlife because when animals congregate around an unnatural food source it can cause disease to spread, and they can lose their sense of caution around people and even attract predators that may interact with people.
On Tuesday, it was not immediately known what happened to the raccoons.
Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at [email protected] and follow her on X @nataliealund.
veryGood! (175)
Related
- DoorDash steps up driver ID checks after traffic safety complaints
- No charges to be filed after racial slur shouted at Utah women's basketball team in Idaho
- China and US resume cooperation on deportation as Chinese immigrants rush in from southern border
- FDIC workplace was toxic with harassment and bullying, report claims, citing 500 employee accounts
- 'Survivor' 47 finale, part one recap: 2 players were sent home. Who's left in the game?
- Miss Teen USA gives up title days after Miss USA resigned
- Life after Florida Georgia Line: Brian Kelley ready to reintroduce himself with new solo album
- TikTok sues US government: Lawsuit alleges forced ban or sale violates First Amendment
- Intellectuals vs. The Internet
- Iowa facility that mistreated residents with intellectual disabilities nears closure
Ranking
- 2 killed, 3 injured in shooting at makeshift club in Houston
- Some Xavier University students upset with planned commencement address by UN ambassador
- Former corrections officer sentenced to 4 years for using excessive force
- Court rejects Hunter Biden’s appeal in gun case, setting stage for trial to begin next month
- Mets have visions of grandeur, and a dynasty, with Juan Soto as major catalyst
- How Travis Kelce Is Shaking Off Jana Kramer's Critical Comments
- Why Jill Zarin Is Defending Her Controversial Below Deck Appearance
- Alabama lawmakers approve stiffer penalties for falsely reporting crime
Recommendation
Travis Hunter, the 2
FTX files plan to fully reimburse customers defrauded of billions by failed crypto exchange
Pennsylvania House passes bill restricting how social media companies treat minors
Cruise ship sails into New York City port with 44-foot dead whale across its bow
EU countries double down on a halt to Syrian asylum claims but will not yet send people back
Maryland governor signs bill to rebuild Pimlico, home of the Preakness Stakes
Bridge being built in northern Arizona almost five years after three children died in Tonto Creek
Mega Millions winning numbers for May 7 drawing: Jackpot rises to $331 million