A woman in Kitsap County, Washington, was forced to abandon her property near Poulsbo and flee after being overwhelmed by a swarm of approximately 100 raccoons, according to local authorities.
Kevin McCarty, spokesperson for the Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office, reported that the woman called 911 seeking help with the horde of raccoons.
“She said those raccoons were becoming increasingly more aggressive, demanding food, that they would hound her day and night — scratching at the outside of her home, at the door,” McCarty said.
The woman told deputies she had been feeding a family of raccoons for decades without issue. However, about six weeks ago, the situation spiraled out of control.
If she pulled up her car, they would surround the car, scratch at the car, surround her if she went from her front door to her car or went outside at all,” McCarty added.
Video footage from the sheriff’s office shows raccoons milling around trees on the property. Deputies who responded to the call confirmed the presence of nearly 100 raccoons.
Both the sheriff’s office and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife determined no laws were broken. ”
This is a nuisance problem kind of of her own making that she has to deal with,” McCarty stated.
Bridget Mire, spokesperson for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, reaffirmed this.
“Under state law it is illegal to feed large carnivores, such as bears or cougars. While municipalities or counties may have local statutes forbidding the feeding of other wildlife, it is currently not against state law to do so.”
However, Mire emphasized that the agency discourages feeding wildlife.
“Raccoons, for example, can carry diseases, and food can also attract predators such as coyotes and bears,” she explained.
A wildlife conflict specialist from the agency has since met with the woman, who has stopped feeding the raccoons.
“The raccoons appear to have started dispersing now that they are no longer being fed, and we are glad for a positive outcome to this case,” Mire reported.