Lambton County OPP say police are not the correct organization to call, for issues involving animals on your property.
Officials say they have been inundated with calls for service, after people report seeing raccoons active during the day and worry about the animal’s potential infection with rabies.
While raccoons are mostly nocturnal, they can often be seen during daylight hours collecting food, or preparing for the upcoming winter.
Lambton OPP Staff Sergeant Ryan Olmstead says, “the OPP does not have the equipment to trap and house live animals or transport live animals. Calling the police to deal with a nuisance animal ties up the phone lines at the communication centre and ties up law enforcement officers when they could be focusing on other issues in the community. A private animal removal service should be contacted instead of calling the police.”