Drunk raccoon chaos as it swigs and smashes bottles in store rampage | World | News
A staff member of a liquor store walked into work to a sea of destruction last week after a drunk raccoon broke into the store and smashed multiple bottles to the floor. According to reports, the procyonid entered the ABC store in Ashland, Virginia, through the ceiling on Friday night (November 28), taking down CCTV cameras in the process, before going on a “full-blown rampage”, drinking multiple bottles before passing out on the floor of the bathroom.
Officers from Hanover County Animal Protection and Shelter were called to the “chaotic scene”. “Upon arrival, [the animal control officer] discovered the ‘suspect’ had broken in, ransacked several shelves, and then… passed out in the bathroom,” the shelter said in a social media post. “I personally like raccoons,” said Samantha Martin, the responding officer. “They are funny little critters. He fell through one of the ceiling tiles and went on a full-blown rampage, drinking everything”.
The animal intruder was then taken to an animal shelter to sober up. “Another day in the life of an animal control officer, I guess,” Ms Martin said.
“After a few hours of sleep and zero signs of injury (other than maybe a hangover and poor life choices), he was safely released back to the wild, hopefully having learned that breaking and entering is not the answer,” the Hanover County Animal Protection and Shelter said.
Raccoons, the largest of the procyonid family, are native to North America and can often weigh as much as 26kg. They can be dangerous, possessing sharp claws and teeth, but are also the primary carriers of several serious diseases and parasites that can infect humans and pets, including rabies, Raccoon Roundworm (Baylisascaris procyonis), which can cause severe neurological issues, blindness and even death and Leptospirosis, which can cause kidney or liver failure.
On Monday (December 1), a man from Cherokee County, Georgia, who attempted to rescue an injured raccoon was treated in hospital for a possible rabies infection after it bit him on the face and hands.
Though native to North America, Majorca is now facing a growing raccoon population, posing a threat to local wildlife and public health. In February, the Balearic government intensified its response, with increased trapping efforts and surveillance in affected areas, but experts warned that total eradication may no longer be feasible.
Raccoons were first reported in Majorca in 2006, and their numbers have increased since then, with sightings reported across 14 municipalities, particularly in the Serra de Tramuntana and the coastal areas of Calvià and Andratx. The Balearic Body for the Protection of Fauna and Flora, Cofib, confirmed that over 1,000 raccoons had been captured since 2006.
