In Poulsbo, Washington, a woman called the Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office to report an invasion of raccoons on her property. She had been feeding raccoons living around her home for 38 years, but the number of raccoons increased dramatically around six weeks ago. Initially, only a dozen would come to be fed, but suddenly over 100 appeared, with the woman speculating that they must have started inviting friends. The raccoons would scratch around her house and bother her at all hours of the night until she threw food out to them, leading to a swarm whenever she stepped outside. While no damage was reported, the woman was scared of the new raccoons that had shown up.
Kevin McCarty, the Kitsap County Sheriff’s Public Information Officer, warned against feeding wildlife, as it can be unhealthy for the animals. Feeding large numbers of raccoons can also spread disease among them. Raccoons are wild animals and can be aggressive, so it is recommended to give them space and allow them to find food and shelter on their own in the wild. To address the woman’s issue, she was referred to the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife for assistance in finding a solution. The department urged against feeding wildlife, as it can cause animals to lose their natural fear of people, leading to potential aggression and the mixing of healthy and sick animals, which could spread diseases.
The Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife received the report from Kitsap 911 and directed the woman to wildlife control operators in her area. While she was working with a trapper, the department’s wildlife conflict specialists and enforcement officers were not dispatched. They emphasized discouraging people from feeding wildlife, as it can disrupt the animals’ natural behavior and attract predators such as coyotes and bears. Raccoons, in particular, can carry diseases that may be transmitted to people and pets. The department’s specialist for Kitsap County attempted to contact the resident to offer expert guidance on the situation.
The woman in Poulsbo was facing an unexpected challenge with hundreds of raccoons taking over her lawn. While she had been feeding raccoons on her property for nearly four decades, the sudden influx of over 100 raccoons was overwhelming. The raccoons would swarm her whenever she stepped outside, scratching around her house and begging for food. The woman was frightened by the new raccoons showing up and sought help from the Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office to address the situation. The Sheriff’s Office warned against feeding wildlife, as it can be harmful to both the animals and humans and can lead to aggressive behavior among the animals.
The Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office advised the woman to give raccoons space and not to feed them, as it could encourage them to lose their natural fear of humans. Feeding wildlife can also lead to the spread of diseases among the animals. The woman was referred to the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife for further assistance in dealing with the raccoon invasion. The department emphasized the importance of not feeding wildlife, as it can disrupt the ecosystem and attract predators such as coyotes and bears. Raccoons, in particular, can carry diseases that may be transmitted to people and pets, highlighting the risks associated with feeding wild animals.
The Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife directed the woman to wildlife control operators in her area for assistance in managing the raccoon invasion. While the woman was working with a trapper, the department’s wildlife conflict specialists and enforcement officers were not dispatched. The department reiterated the importance of not feeding wildlife, as it can lead to animals losing their fear of humans and becoming aggressive. Feeding wildlife can also attract predators and pose risks to both animals and humans. The department’s specialist for Kitsap County attempted to reach out to the resident to provide expert guidance on the situation, emphasizing the need to address the issue responsibly and safely.
