We’ve all heard about the excessive “raiding” going on across the country, from quiet neighborhoods to local stores. And one particular liquor store in Virginia was raided as well, but this time it wasn’t the feds. Instead, it was a wild raccoon likely looking for something to eat. But the poor thing might have gotten more than it bargained for when authorities found the critter lying on its belly in a considerable drunken stupor. The raccoon had pillaged the shelves of the Ashland ABC Store, drinking as much as it could before passing out in the bathroom.
Officer Martin of the local police department was the one who came and witnessed the ravaged crime scene, with shattered bottles of different drinks across the floor. As anyone who’s drunk before would know, mixing alcohol is usually a good recipe for a brutal hangover, and this Virginian trash panda definitely experienced some of that. Martin carefully carried the “masked bandit” to the Hanover County Animal Protection and Shelter, where it could sober up and receive any needed treatment.
Lucky for the raccoon, the county animal control reported on Facebook that the critter had no signs of injury and was released back into the wild after sleeping for several hours. It was quite the ending for the booze thief. And needless to say, the internet found the whole ordeal unbelievably hilarious.
“Any idea on what his top preferences were?? ‘Our drinks are raccoon-recommended!’ 😂,” joked one Facebook commenter. “At least he made it to the bathroom… some of us humans can’t even do that!” exclaimed another. “Ya, the bottom shelf stuff will get you like that 🧐,” remarked a third.
Of course, animals getting drunk isn’t a new concept. National Geographic lists several wildlife that enjoy the “highs of life,” from elephants getting drunk on fruit to reindeer getting a kick out of shrooms. Of course, there’s little chance this Virginia raccoon knew the liquor store was where it could get drunk, but it’s both cute and funny how things turned out for it.
