In a surprising and overwhelming sight, a swarm of raccoons halted a woman’s entry into her home, causing her to call 911 for help.
A Washington state woman was startled when around 100 raccoons swarmed her house and prevented her from entering. The woman, who lives in Poulsbo, across the Puget Sound from Seattle, had been feeding local raccoons for 35 years with no problems, according to police reports. However, this time, the raccoons arrived in such large numbers that they caused a significant disruption.
The Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office reported that the woman called deputies after the raccoons surrounded her house. Kevin McCarty, a spokesperson for the office, explained that the raccoons were all expecting a meal, having gotten word in the “raccoon community.” Six weeks before the incident, the situation had worsened, with the raccoon population seemingly multiplying.
When officers arrived, they were shocked by the sheer number of animals. “They had never seen that many raccoons in one place,” McCarty remarked. The swarm was so large that no one on the force could recall such a peculiar event occurring before.
Despite the alarming scene, no wild raccoons in Washington have been reported with rabies recently, a deadly disease that affects mammals, including humans. However, raccoons can carry other infections, like raccoon roundworm. Health officials warn of the potential risks, even as this raccoon incident didn’t result in harm to the woman or officers.
Raccoons, known for their curious and mischievous nature, have been known to cause humorous disruptions in the past. Earlier this year, a raccoon invaded a Major League Soccer field during a game between the Philadelphia Union and New York City FC, gaining widespread attention.
However, for the neighbors in Poulsbo, the sight of dozens of raccoons surrounding one home was far less amusing, especially as the woman found herself unable to enter her house, creating a surprising scenario for both locals and law enforcement.
