HALDIMAND — The Haldimand OPP has received several calls recently after residents spotted a raccoon out during the day.
The focus of the OPP is public safety. The OPP wants to remind the public that anyone having issues with raccoons, skunks, bats, or any other animal on their property needs to call a private animal removal service.
It’s a common myth that a raccoon walking around during the day is sick or has rabies. It’s true that raccoons are mostly nocturnal, but they can be active during the day for many different reasons. Raccoons will come out during the day if there is a food source available at a particular time, if they have been frightened out of their daytime sleeping spot, or if there is high competition in the area at night from other nocturnal animals.
“The OPP does not have the equipment to trap and house live animals or transport wild animals. Calling the police to deal with nuisance animals ties up the phone lines at the communications centre and ties up law enforcement officers. A private animal removal service should be contacted instead of calling the police,” said Inspector Jodi Kays, Detachment Commander, Haldimand County OPP.
