While everyone eagerly awaits the arrival of the First Puppy at the White House, there's another critter that's causing a stir in Washington. President Obama is getting grief about a National Parks Service effort to live-trap a family of raccoons spotted on the White House grounds.
The National Park Service told the Washington Post: "The idea of raccoons on the White House grounds give us great pause," so they are trying – unsuccessfully, so far – to relocate them.
Raccoon experts, however, say that's a dumb plan because they're not hurting anything or anyone. Moreover, moving them will potentially hurt both these raccoons and their would-be new raccoon neighbors – and spread disease.
"It's not necessary to get rid of them," said John Hadidian, director of the Urban Wildlife Program of the Humane Society of the United States. "My theory is they're just passing by."
Real raccoon problems arise in homes where chimneys or trim boards are in disrepair or garbage not secured, Hadidian says. "The White House doesn't have places where they would allow them to den. I think they're pretty secure."
Cindy Traisi, assistant manager at the Fund for Wildlife Center, says relocating raccoons is illegal in some states and "is bad idea because it's biologically unsound."
What you think? Should this family of raccoons be relocated? Leave your thoughts in the comments area below!
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