A Poulsbo resident is facing an unexpected and overwhelming invasion after years of feeding local raccoons. The woman, who has been feeding the animals for more than 30 years, has found herself overrun by more than 100 raccoons, which have become increasingly aggressive in their pursuit of food. The situation took a dangerous turn about six weeks ago, prompting her to seek help from local authorities.
According to the Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office, the woman reported that the raccoons, which she had been feeding for decades, started showing more aggressive behavior, clawing at her door and becoming territorial around her home. When the situation escalated, she had to flee to her car for safety and called law enforcement for assistance. Sheriff’s deputies advised her to stop feeding the raccoons and directed her to Washington State Fish and Wildlife for further guidance on how to deal with the problem.
The woman had also looked into hiring professionals to remove the raccoons, but the cost proved prohibitive at $500 per animal. Given the sheer number of raccoons now surrounding her property, the price to remove them all could easily reach tens of thousands of dollars.
Washington State Fish and Wildlife officials have since emphasized that wildlife should not be fed under any circumstances. “Animals can find food on their own,” they stated, reminding the public that feeding wildlife often leads to unintended consequences, including the animals becoming dependent on humans for food and displaying aggressive behavior when that supply is interrupted.
The invasion highlights the dangers of long-term wildlife feeding, with experts warning that raccoons can carry diseases such as rabies and roundworm, making interactions with large groups of them potentially hazardous. Authorities are working with the woman to find a solution to remove the raccoons and restore safety to her home, but it is a stark reminder to the community about the importance of respecting wildlife boundaries.
