Decades ago, a resident in Poulsbo began feeding a small family of raccoons near her property, viewing it as a harmless gesture. Over time, however, the number of raccoons visiting her home escalated from a few individuals to an overwhelming assembly of nearly 100 animals. The raccoons, having grown accustomed to a food source, began appearing daily, scratching at her doors, and even gathering around her car.
Faced with this unexpected and unwelcome swarm, the woman ultimately had to call 911 to report the incident. Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Kevin McCarty noted that the raccoons had become increasingly demanding, approaching the property day and night in search of food. The woman reported that some of the raccoons even scratched at her home’s exterior, indicating the extent of their persistence and occasional aggression.
McCarty described the situation as a “nuisance problem” largely stemming from the woman’s own actions in feeding the animals. Video footage from the sheriff’s office showed approximately 50 to 100 raccoons gathered around the woman’s home, milling about trees and scouring the grounds as they awaited food.
In an interview, McCarty explained the animals had effectively marked her home as a reliable food source and, in response, would continue to return, expecting to be fed. The raccoons reportedly even circled the woman’s car, scratching at it when she pulled into her driveway, and obstructed her path as she attempted to move between her home and her vehicle.
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife spokesperson Bridget Mire commented that while feeding certain large carnivores such as bears or cougars is strictly prohibited by law, there is no state law explicitly forbidding the feeding of raccoons. Local statutes, however, may restrict wildlife feeding in some areas. Mire also emphasized that feeding wildlife, even seemingly harmless animals like raccoons, can lead to unintended consequences, as the food can attract not only raccoons but also potential predators like coyotes and bears. Additionally, raccoons can carry diseases, posing health risks to humans and other animals.
As for the Poulsbo case, Mire added that the raccoons have begun to disperse now that food is no longer available at the residence, and the agency is hopeful that this will mark a favorable conclusion to the incident.
| Incident Details | Description |
|---|---|
| Location | Poulsbo, Washington |
| Approximate Number of Raccoons | 50-100 |
| Initial Cause | Feeding raccoons over decades |
| Reported Behavior | Scratching at doors, surrounding car, demanding food |
| Response | Woman fled home, reported to authorities |
| Outcome | Raccoons began to disperse after food source ended |
