Repeat Offender in Ashland
A raccoon that recently broke into a liquor store in Virginia has been linked to several other incidents at the same strip mall, including a karate studio and the Department of Motor Vehicles.
The raccoon gained notoriety after its escapade on November 29, when it entered the state-operated Alcohol Beverage Control Authority store in Ashland, located about 15 miles north of Richmond. The animal smashed bottles of scotch and other whiskies before consuming some alcohol and falling asleep in a bathroom, according to Hanover County Animal Protection and Shelter.
During a recent episode of Hanover County’s public access podcast, Hear in Hanover, Animal Protection Officer Samantha Martin revealed that this was reportedly the third time the raccoon had infiltrated various locations within the same shopping center.
“He was in the karate studio. I think he got into the DMV and snacked on their treats once. Each time we manage to get him out; we don’t relocate him because that would be detrimental for raccoons. Yet somehow, he always finds his way back,” Ms. Martin explained.
After the liquor store incident, the raccoon was released back into its natural habitat instead of being relocated since the strip mall lies within its mating territory.
“He’s about a mile from the ABC store, so he remains within his own territory. Wild male raccoons can travel up to eight miles daily to find a mate. Therefore, he is well within his boundaries,” Ms. Martin added.
