In a peculiar turn of events, a woman from Poulsbo, Washington, found herself overwhelmed by a large group of raccoons surrounding her home, forcing her to leave. Initially, the woman began feeding a small family of raccoons decades ago, only for the numbers to swell alarmingly to between 50 and 100. Kevin McCarty from the Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office explained that these raccoons became aggressive and continually demanded food, scratching at her doors and even her car. They began to perceive her property as a constant food source, ultimately jeopardizing her safety.
Video footage displayed an astonishing sight of raccoons congregating outside her residence. This situation, described as a “nuisance problem,” was partly due to the woman’s own choices, according to McCarty.
Feeding large carnivores like bears is prohibited, but state law does not forbid feeding raccoons, noted Bridget Mire from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. Despite its legality, the agency advises against feeding wildlife due to health risks and potential attraction of predators. Fortunately, the raccoons have now dispersed as the food supply ceased, leading to a peaceful resolution.
