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While unexpected encounters with wildlife are common in many parts of the United States, incidents involving intoxicated animals present a unique set of challenges for local authorities and business owners. A series of reports over recent years highlights a recurring phenomenon where raccoons and incidents involving other marsupials have led to police intervention after the animals consumed significant amounts of alcohol.
In Milton, West Virginia, police officers were once called to handle a situation involving raccoons that appeared to be suffering from rabies. However, upon apprehending the masked bandits, authorities discovered the animals were actually intoxicated. According to reports by The Washington Post and Baltimore Sun, the raccoons had feasted on fermented crab apples, causing them to stagger and become disoriented. The police held the animals in custody to let them sober up before releasing them back into the woods unharm, referring to the holding area humorously as a "raccoon drunk tank."
Liquor stores have also proven to be attractive targets for curious creatures. In Bristol, Tennessee, surveillance footage captured a raccoon breaking into a store and spending over 90 minutes helping itself to various spirits. The intruder caused approximately $250 in damage and was seen knocking over bottles. Similarly, a separate incident in an alcohol warehouse involved a raccoon that was filmed staggering after consuming spilled alcohol, a story that was highlighted by Eater as a viral moment of "ridiculous but cute" animal behavior.
Raccoons are not the only offenders. In Fort Walton Beach, Florida, an opossum broke into a liquor store and consumed a bottle of bourbon. The animal was found next to the empty broken bottle, displaying signs of excessive salivation and disorientation. Staff at the Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge treated the animal with fluids to flush out the toxins. According to CBS News coverage of the rescue, the store owner noted that the opossum came in through the rafters and "drank the whole damn bottle" once it reached the floor. Like the West Virginia raccoons, the opossum was released unharmed after sobering up.
