Stop Calling 9-1-1 For Raccoons

Tuesday, 9 April 2019 10:22

Oxford OPP are being inundated with 9-1-1 calls about raccoons, also a woman was arrested in Ingersoll on an outstanding warrant after a couple of dropped 9-1-1 calls.

OXFORD COUNTY - If you have raccoons on your property, maybe try calling Gunning Wildlife Removal, instead of calling 9-1-1.

Police are once again asking the public to stop calling 9-1-1 for non emergency calls. Recently the Oxford OPP were called by a homeowner after a raccoon was spotted down the side of the roadway. Police are continuing to being inundated with calls for service after people are spotting raccoons during the day. There is no need to contact 9-1-1. Homeowners who have issues with Raccoons on their property need 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.

Oxford OPP Detachment Commander Tony Hymers says these calls are tying up our resources.

"The OPP does not have the equipment to trap and house live animals or transport wild animals. Calling 9-1-1 for raccoons, tie up the phone lines at the communications centre, waste taxpayer money, tie up law enforcement officers and threaten lives. A private animal removal service should be contacted instead of calling 9-1-1."

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INGERSOLL - Oxford OPP were able to arrest a 27 year old woman from London who was wanted on an outstanding warrant after a couple of dropped 9-1-1 calls.

Officers were sent to the home in Ingersoll on Friday night after receiving two dropped emergency 9-1-1 calls. Officers arrived at the address and determined that there was no emergency however they did arrest the woman who was wanted on an outstanding warrant.