‘They’re running up the fire escape.’ Concerned Bronx residents ward off raccoons in building

The residents of one Bronx building say they are constantly finding some uninvited furry friends on the third floor.

News 12 Staff

Apr 1, 2022, 2:26 AM

Updated 920 days ago

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The residents of one Bronx building say they are constantly finding some uninvited furry friends on the third floor.
Residents at 664 Eagle Ave. tell News 12 that at least six raccoons have been found in their building in a month. It has become so concerning that they say they have set up traps.
“One day, I got up like 2 a.m., I was hearing something on the fire escape and I looked out and I see a raccoon; they’re running up the fire escape and there were like three or four of them,” Vita Haskins says.
Haskins believes that the raccoons are coming from a hole in a nearby building, a hole she hopes is closed off soon.
“I’m just fearful that one day I’m going to come home and I’m going to see a raccoon in my house,” she says.
According to the New York State Department of Environmental Protection, to keep the raccoons from coming back, residents should not leave food outside, secure garbage and block openings to access points, such as attics and porches.
The New York DEP also warns it is illegal to relocate trapped animals off of the personal property, only a Nuisance Wildlife Control Operator can do that.
A representative for the landlord of the building tells News 12 that they are working with a Nuisance Wildlife Control Operator and they are in contact with the owner of the adjacent building to hopefully fill the hole.