A Chambersburg, PA man was recently cited by the police for discharging a firearm in the Chambersburg borough. He was trying to shoot a raccoon living under the shed near his office building. This is only one of the many documented and undocumented cases of homeowners, property managers and random strangers trying to deal with nuisance wildlife with weapons or lethal traps. You should know that not only is this illegal in some cases, but it’s also for the most part ineffective and can even put you in danger. Our Maryland raccoon removal specialists are here to explain why.
Killing the Animal is Unnecessary
Let’s face it, no one has to die in a human-animal conflict, unless you are dealing with a raccoon that has rabies. Most animals can be safely captured and relocated, never to come back and bother you again. Yes, it may cost a bit more money than firing a bullet, but then you won’t be stuck with a dead animal under your deck or shed, which if left there can cause unpleasant odor and even infest your home with fleas.
Dead Animal Removal is Not Free
The state and county roadkill removal teams don’t remove dead wildlife from private properties. This means you would either have to hire a dead animal removal company or you would need to drag or drive the dead raccoon to plant it as roadkill. Either way, that’s an unpleasant undertaking that can be easily avoided.
Animals Can Get Aggressive
Don’t underestimate strength and viciousness of a raccoon, especially if it’s a mother protecting her nest. Raccoons generally don’t attack people and try to stay away from us, but they may also carry diseases that can make them aggressive. For example, rabies and canine distemper are fairly common in raccoons. A recent case in Largo, FL involved an elderly man who simply stomped at two raccoons crossing a street, which was enough to provoke one of the animals (possibly carrying a baby on its back) to attack. The man ended up with 19 stitches from a raccoon bite and a broken bone from the fall.
There are Laws for Discharging Firearms
Discharging any kind of firearm within the city limits is typically illegal outside of a few exceptions. Outside of the city, you are typically allowed to fire a weapon on your property, as long as it’s not automatic. If you are not very experienced with guns, you risk injuring the animal and causing it a slow and painful death.
Killing Rarely Solves the Problem
People hire us not just because we remove nuisance wildlife from their property, but also because we clean up, repair damage, and take measures to prevent future problems. Shooting a poor raccoon under your shed does none of that. There is still a hole you need to fill in, maybe boards to replace, and there is no guarantee more raccoons won’t come in their place. This is one of the reasons you may want to leave wildlife removal to a professional instead of settling a personal vendetta. We have studied these animals for years, we know their habits and lifestyle, and we can leave you with a clean consciousness and peace of mind. Give us a call today for raccoon removal or other animal removals in Howard County, Montgomery County, and throughout Maryland and the mid-Atlantic region.