A raccoon was discovered drunk and passed out inside a liquor store after raiding shelves of Scotch whisky overnight.
The incident unfolded at an ABC store in Ashland, Virginia last Saturday, when the furry intruder crashed through a ceiling tile.
Once inside, the raccoon proceeded to wreak havoc across the premises, knocking bottles and leaving the floor awash with spilled spirits.
Staff initially believed a burglar was responsible for the break-in, given the extent of the damage and the collapsed ceiling panel.
However, the true culprit was soon identified, when employees discovered the raccoon unconscious on the bathroom floor following its nocturnal drinking session.
An investigation revealed the animal had concentrated its efforts on the lowest shelving, where bottles of Scotch were displayed.
The raccoon had smashed multiple containers, creating pools of alcohol across the floor which it subsequently consumed.
By the time staff made their discovery, the raccoon was thoroughly inebriated and incapable of fleeing the scene of its crime.
The incident unfolded at an off-license in Ashland, Virginia
|
Hanover County Animal Protection and Shelter was summoned to collect the raccoon from the premises.
Samantha Martin, an officer with local animal control, attended the scene and expressed amusement at the situation. “I personally like raccoons,” she said. “They are funny little critters. He fell through one of the ceiling tiles and went on a full-blown rampage, drinking everything.”
Ms Martin transported the raccoon back to the shelter, admitting she found the experience rather entertaining. “Another day in the life of an animal control officer, I guess,” she remarked.
The shelter confirmed the raccoon recovered fully after sleeping off its excesses. “After a few hours of sleep and zero signs of injury (other than maybe a hangover and poor life choices), he was safely released back to the wild, hopefully having learned that breaking and entering is not the answer,” the agency stated.
