A raccoon recently made headlines for causing chaos in a Virginia liquor store. The incident occurred early Saturday morning when the animal broke into the store, leading to a series of messy events.
Raccoon’s Wild Night at Virginia Liquor Store
The raccoon, often referred to as a “trash panda,” found its way into the liquor store in the Ashland area. There, it targeted the bottom shelf where whiskey and scotch were stocked. The result was a significant mess—bottles were shattered, and alcohol was spilled across the floor.
Discovery and Response
On Saturday morning, an employee discovered the intoxicated raccoon passed out on the bathroom floor. Local animal control officer Samantha Martin described the situation as humorous, stating that raccoons can be quite entertaining creatures. “He fell through one of the ceiling tiles and went on a full-blown rampage, drinking everything,” she noted.
Animal Control’s Involvement
- The raccoon was taken back to the animal shelter by Martin.
- Martin indicated it was just another day in the life of an animal control officer.
- The Hanover County Animal Protection and Shelter praised her handling of the situation.
According to the Department of Wildlife Resources in Virginia, raccoons are prevalent in various environments, including forests, parks, and urban areas. Following its escapade, the raccoon was given time to recover. After a few hours of rest and signs of no serious injuries, it was safely released back into the wild.
A Lesson Learned
While the raccoon escaped with what could be described as a hangover, it faced no lasting harm from its adventure. The animal control agency humorously suggested that it might have learned a valuable lesson about breaking and entering.
This incident is not isolated. Earlier this year, a raccoon was found in Ohio with a glass methamphetamine pipe. The animal was discovered sitting in a car, which was pulled over due to issues with its registered owner.
Such occurrences highlight the unpredictable nature of wildlife interactions in urban settings. Raccoons continue to be a source of fascination—and sometimes trouble—in communities across Virginia and beyond.
