In Kitsap County, Washington, 911 calls about loose livestock and troublesome pets are not unusual. However, a recent call from a woman near Poulsbo about being surrounded by 50 to 100 raccoons drew significant attention. The situation became so overwhelming that the woman ultimately fled her property.
The story began a decade ago when she started feeding a family of raccoons and it was fine until about six weeks earlier, but when the number showing up went from a handful to around 100 it became a problem.
The woman said, “Over time those raccoons became more aggressive, demanding food, they would hound her day and night — scratching at the outside of her home, at the door. If she pulled up her car, they would surround the car, scratch at the car, and surround her if she went from her front door to her car or went outside at all.”
“They saw this as a food source now, so they kept coming back to it and they kept expecting food,” she added.
The sudden increase in the raccoon population remains unclear, but both the sheriff’s office and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife confirmed that the woman did not break any law while feeding those raccoons, as it is illegal in the state to feed large carnivores such as coyotes and bears.
“This is a nuisance problem of her own making that she must address,” said Kevin McCarty, a spokesperson for the sheriff’s office.
Deputies who responded said that there were at least 50 to 100 raccoons present on her property.
After consulting with a wildlife conflict specialist, the woman has stopped feeding the raccoons, and they have started to disperse.