A Washington state woman got more visitors than she bargained for when hundreds of raccoons took over her lawn.
The Kitsap County Sheriff's Office told Fox News Digital that a woman from Poulsbo, Wash., called the office last week to report an animal intrusion.
Officials said she had been feeding the raccoons near her home for the past 38 years, but that up until six weeks ago, only about a dozen would come to feed her.
“For some reason, the number of raccoons that showed up six weeks ago has increased to more than 100, and the woman said she must have started inviting friends over,” said Kevin McCarty, a Kitsap County sheriff's public information officer. spoke.
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After a Washington state woman fed more than a dozen raccoons for more than 30 years, hundreds of others took advantage of her generosity. (Kitsap County Sheriff's Office)
McCarty said the woman did not report any damage to her property, but the raccoon was scratching around her house and bothering her all night until she threw food at it.
“Every time she comes out of the house, they flock to her until she throws food. The normal raccoons she feeds are friendly, but the new raccoons that show up scare her.” McCarty said.
Mr McCarty urged people not to feed wild animals, no matter how cute they are or how much they beg.
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A Washington state woman's home was invaded by more than 100 raccoons last week. (Kitsap County Sheriff's Office)
“Raccoons are wild animals, and feeding them can be harmful to their health. Wildlife experts say large numbers of raccoons congregating can spread disease between animals. '' McCarty said.
He added that raccoons can be aggressive, so in the wild it's wise to give them space and allow them to find food and shelter on their own.
The woman was referred to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife to find a solution to the problem.
A spokesperson for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife told FOX News Digital that Kitsap 911 sent the report to the WILDCOMM Communication Center.
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The Kitsap County Sheriff's Office said more than 100 raccoons invaded a woman's yard last week. (Kitsap County Sheriff's Office)
The Wildcom team referred the resident to a local wildlife manager, who said she was working with a trapper, the agency said. However, no wildlife conflict experts or enforcement officers were sent.
The department echoed McCarty's sentiments, saying Kitsap County's wildlife conflict experts are trying to reach out to residents for professional guidance, but they haven't received any updates on the situation.
“We do not recommend that people feed wild animals as this can cause them to lose their natural fear of humans and lead to aggressive behavior. Animals can mix with sick animals and the disease can spread between animals,” said Brigitte Maia, communications specialist for the coastal region.
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Maia added that some wild animals, such as raccoons, can carry diseases that can be transmitted to people and pets, and feeding wild animals can attract predators such as coyotes and bears. He said that there is also a gender.
