July 16, 2009
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Poor Little Guy…
This morning I went for a walk with my husband and saw a raccoon stuck in the window bars of the ground floor of the townhouse next door. You rarely see wild animals in NYC (except tons of pigeons
), so I was concerned that the raccoon was rabid or was hurt. The building is being renovated so people rarely go inside. My husband thought it would eventually work its way out since it was squirming around, so we went on our walk.We come back 40 min later and it managed to turn itself upside-down. I wanted to call Animal Control right away but then started to think ‘I’m sure someone else called already.’ I think in psychology class there was a term for this displacement of responsibility (forget the official term). So I hurriedly got ready for work and forgot about the raccoon.
My husband leaves for work much later than I do. When he left 4 hours later, he sent me this picture:
The raccoon was still stuck in the window bars!
I felt sooo bad the little guy was still there. I called 311 (NYC services) 3 times to try and report the little guy but got disconnected each time. Finally, on the 4th try I got connected to animal control and let them know about him. I wonder how long it’ll take for them to send someone. I really hope the raccoon isn’t still there when I get home later today.
I’m actually really scared of most animals but it really saddens me when animals get hurt or are mistreated. I wish I had called animal control sooner. What do you think they’ll do with him? If he’s not rabid they will probably let him go in the park no?
** Update***
An hour after I placed the call, NYC Animal Care and Control called me and asked me how to get to our apt. I stayed on the phone with them until they located the raccoon. The ACC guy hung up with me once they found him, so I didn’t get the chance to ask what would happen to him. But when I got home the little guy wasn’t there, which was a relief to see. I want to believe he’s frocklicking nearby in Central Park and maybe we’ll meet again one day there.
Comments (24)
Probably not. But that poor burglar ‘coon! I hope he got unstuck-he’s so cute!
Aww, animals are pretty resourceful. Maybe he will get out of there by himself!
Btw, happy belated birthday!
@TheCheshireGrins - Thanks for the bday wishes!
I hope the raccoon gets out soon. He must be getting hungry!
well, hopefully animal control will let him go somewhere outdoors. I wonder. Its nice you called it in.
awww! poor thing!
Any news on our masked captive?
I’m guessing they’ll rehidrate him and then send him off to the park. I know it’s awful but that picture is so cute. lol
@SwordAndSacrifice - Animal control called me an hour after I placed the call. I was so surprised they responded pretty quickly, considering it’s NYC and all.
When I got home the little guy wasn’t there. I’m glad he wasn’t trapped anymore.
You did good.
poor guy ….althought i must say..i didnt like his kind during my camping trip..
resilient creatures….they did everything to try to get to our campsite trash
Aww, I’m glad that he got out!
I remember learning about this in psych, so I had to look it up.
I think either the diffusion of responsibility or the bystander effect is the term you are looking for?
Glad you were able to help the little raccoon!
Thanks for the update! I bet if you called back they would tell you where he went… of course it might be better to not know! lol
Beth is coming to visit you guys this week I am so jealous I wish I could come too!
Very nice gesture
so glad you called!
Have you seen ‘coon babies?
aw that’s so sad, but very cute. i love happy endings
i am sure animal control took care of the raccoon in a happy way. once i called animal control about a baby hummingbird who had fallen out of its nest. i called back a few days later, and they said it was in rehab. lol so cuteee
Lol – this is adorable… however if he was stuck in my window I’d be freaking out. I had a squirrel in my air conditioner tube ‘thingy’ and LOST IT!
Im glad the little bandit was finally rescued.
Lucky thing you found him and not Granny Clampett – he’d have wound up in a mess ‘o vittles! I’m sure they released him somewhere if he was healthy. Good job!
That’s so sad.
But good to know he got out!
*random comment*
Cool pics. The food looks good. Lol @ the raccoon.
P.S.- Thanks for stopping by my page…even though you didn’t comment.
Knowing that he’s okay/they found him and helped out? Bahahahaha!! That picture is priceless!!
Poor raccoon! Have you spotted him in Central Park already? (=
Oh now I want to know what happened too! I bet if you call them, they’ll tell you. I’d guess they released him elsewhere, because why would they harm him? It isn’t likely he’s rabid, and hopefully he wasn’t hurt, but maybe exhausted and dehydrated after such a day! I’m so glad you called!