DERBY — A raccoon seized from a commercial property on Main Street won’t be euthanized, according to an email to The Valley Indy from state environmental officials.
“The raccoon is with a licensed wildlife rehabilitator qualified to handle raccoons. The animal will stay with a licensed wildlife rehabilitator until it learns the skills needed to be released into the wild. This process will take time as the raccoon is now a habituated animal,” according to a statement issued Wednesday from the state Department of Energy & Environmental Protection.
The raccoon was removed from the rear yard of Bartone’s Apizza on Main Street last month, according to several news reports. An owner had discovered the baby raccoon, gave it shelter behind the pizzeria under the back stairs and named it Lilah, according to WTNH.
The animal was reported to DEEP anonymously.
Story continues after the TV news report.
News of the seizure prompted hundreds of social media posts in support of the restaurant owners. An early media report also stated the animal would be put down. State Rep. Nicole Klarides-Ditria stepped in to check on the animal’s welfare with DEEP, according to a Facebook post, and urged that the animal be released into the wild when it is ready.
The business owners were issued a verbal warning for illegally possessing wildlife and practicing wildlife management without a permit.
The Valley Indy posted the DEEP email to Facebook. Several readers said they didn’t believe DEEP. The Valley Indy sent messages to two state officials asking for some type of proof. The messages were not returned.
The statement from DEEP on Wednesday reminded the public that taking in wildlife is illegal in Connecticut.
“Again, DEEP and DoAg (state Department of Agriculture) remind residents that keeping raccoons and other wild animals as pets is illegal and can endanger people, pets, and the animals themselves,” the agency said. “If you find wildlife that appears sick, injured, or orphaned, contact local animal control or a licensed wildlife rehabilitator rather than attempting to care for it yourself. In many cases, animals that appear to be in distress aren’t actually distressed. If you care about wildlife, contact an expert, or leave it alone.”
For more information on racoons in Connecticut and dealing with distressed wildlife from DEEP’s wildlife team, click this link.
