Baby Raccoons Found in Arlington Chimney

Photo Credit: Arlington Police Department.

ARLINGTON, MA—A group of baby raccoons are living comfortably in foster care after being found in an Arlington chimney earlier this week.

Arlington police reported the finding of the baby raccoons via its Twitter account. Arlington Animal Control officer Katie Kozikowski told Patch that a man had brought the raccoons to animal control after attempting to re-unite them with their mother. He found the raccoons while his chimney was being cleaned.

While some might find raccoons repulsive, Kozikowski told Patch that saving these baby raccoons plays an important role in the ecosystem. She cited that possums have a great effect on regulating the tick population, because they will eat the dead ticks and prevent the spread of ticks to dogs and humans.

The raccoons were taken to the North East Wildlife Animal Rehabilitation Coalition (New Arc), where they will be nursed to health. While Kozikowski added that the man who brought the raccoons to animal control did so to save the baby raccoons, residents should not touch wild animals.

"If people see baby raccoons, they shouldn't touch them," Kozikowski told Patch."The man who brought the raccoons in didn't have a choice, because they [the raccoons] would have died. If you see them in the wild, they will find their mother and be safe."