OPP ask people to stop calling 911 over raccoons

Provincial police in Norfolk County are telling the public not to call 911 for a raccoon complaint. Police were called around 12:30 p.m. Thursday for a raccoon spotted against a curb on Main Street in Waterford. A Good Samaritan removed the raccoon and placed it inside a trap to be released in a safe area, police said. Police said they continue to be inundated with calls for service after people spot raccoons on their property. “The OPP does not have the equipment to trap and house live animals or transport wild animals,” Const. Ed Sanchuk said in a news release. “Calling 911 for raccoons ties up the phone lines at the communications centre, wastes taxpayer money, ties up law enforcement officers and threatens lives.” A private animal removal service should be contacted instead.