A woman in Washington state had to call 911 after being overwhelmed by a group of up to 100 raccoons on her property. The incident, which took place near Poulsbo, prompted the woman to flee her home as the raccoons became increasingly aggressive.
According to Kevin McCarty, a spokesperson for the sheriff’s office, the woman had been feeding a family of raccoons for decades without issues. However, about six weeks prior to the incident, the number of raccoons visiting her property suddenly skyrocketed to around 100. The raccoons began displaying aggressive behavior, demanding food and surrounding the woman day and night. They scratched at her home, door, and even her car whenever she stepped outside.
Authorities from the sheriff’s office and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife investigated the situation but found that no laws had been broken. McCarty described the situation as a “nuisance problem” that the woman had unwittingly created by feeding the raccoons. Video footage from the sheriff’s office showed dozens of raccoons milling around trees, confirming the woman’s distressing encounter.
Bridget Mire, a spokesperson for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, highlighted the potential risks of feeding wildlife, such as attracting predators and spreading diseases. While it is against state law to feed large carnivores like bears or cougars, there are currently no laws prohibiting the feeding of other wildlife in Washington. However, Mire emphasized that the agency discourages such practices for safety reasons.
After a wildlife conflict specialist advised the woman to stop feeding the raccoons, the animals began dispersing. The woman’s decision to halt feeding the creatures led to a positive outcome, with the raccoons gradually moving away from her property. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of respecting wildlife and refraining from actions that could lead to potentially dangerous encounters.
The town of Poulsbo, where the incident occurred, is located approximately a 90-minute car and ferry ride northwest of Seattle. It remains a cautionary tale for those who may unknowingly attract wildlife by providing them with food, resulting in unexpected and challenging situations.