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A raccoon got stuck on a residential porch in Ohio for over a week after its leg became caught in a metal trap.
The Wildlife Emergency Service Team (WEST) of Southwestern Ohio responded to a report of a racoon "living" on the porch. The charity posted a video of the call out to Facebook, which can be viewed here.
WEST President Beth Kelly filmed herself giving the raccoon food as she showed how its leg was caught awkwardly in what seemed to be a spring-loaded metal trap wedged inside the porch step.
"Right now I'm just letting him eat, hoping he'll calm down," she said in the video. "He's obviously in agony and very threatened and not very happy."
The volunteer said the animal had been stuck outside in freezing weather for days after it got caught in the trap, prompting a call to them for help. The video showed the animal appearing nervous and agitated while eating a bowl of food placed by Kelly within its reach.
Raccoons are found across North America, with population densities reaching up to one animal per two acres of habitat.
The Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (AFWA) previously published a range of guidance on trapping raccoons with a number of devices listed as meeting standards for animal welfare, selectivity, safety and other criteria.
Trapping fur-bearing animals like racoons is regulated at the state level. Many require special licenses for those who want to use traps to catch animals in this way. In Ohio, animals considered "nuisance" wildlife—including raccoons—can be legally trapped without a permit. Trapped animals must then be released back on the homeowner's property or euthanized in a humane way.
"Raccoons get into lots of different situations—stuck in car engines, heads stuck in jars are two we've dealt with—because they're naturally inquisitive and intelligent, but the most frequent calls we get about raccoons, by far, involves them being inside houses," Kelly told Newsweek.
"He has been eating and drinking well and we are hopeful that his foot isn't broken and will heal well with time," she said. The raccoon was eventually freed after another volunteer, Holly Markwell, arrived with tools to released the animal from the device.
"As far as living harmoniously with native wildlife, it is entirely possible if people secure trash cans and repair any openings in their homes where racccoons or squirrels or bats might get in," Kelly said. "We also frequently advise against feeding wildlife - especially raccoons and other rabies vector species - because they DO carry zoonotic diseases that could affect humans and pets. And if you feed them, they will come. And bring their friends."
Taylor Arseneau, who had initially contacted the charity about the trapped raccoon, commented on the post: "I am so happy I called this in! Thank you so much for your help, I'm glad he is doing okay."
