Particle.news
Download on the App Store

Hanover Officer Says Viral 'Drunk' Raccoon Is a Serial Break-In Artist

A county officer linked the animal to earlier break-ins, signaling a pattern of nuisance visits.

Overview

  • Animal Protection Officer Samantha Martin disclosed the update on Hanover County’s official Hear In Hanover podcast.
  • Martin said the raccoon has committed at least three break-ins in the same shopping block, including a karate studio and the DMV where it ate snacks.
  • The most recent incident was on Black Friday at the Ashland ABC store, where several liquor bottles were broken and the raccoon was found passed out in a bathroom.
  • After the liquor-store call, the animal was kept overnight at the county shelter to sober up and then released near the store.
  • Officials reiterated they do not relocate raccoons because relocation is often a death sentence, adding the animal has figured out how to reenter buildings.