Raccoons rummage in residents' rubbish

Whether friend or foe, certain fuzzy woodland creatures are slowly becoming a problem for the campus community.

People have seen raccoons everywhere, from trash cans to students’ cars. Their presence, though seemingly harmless, is actually quite dangerous.

“Students should not feed them,” said security officer Terry Robertson, “because they become dependent on the students.”

Many students tend to feed the animals, thinking that they are helping them out. What students need to realize is that feeding the raccoons is more detrimental to them. By feeding the raccoons the students are violating a federal game control law. Also, the raccoons tend to become familiar with students and depend them as food source.

“It’s a catch-22,” said Robertson. “They always hit the trash cans, but now they are accustomed to people.”

Raccoons who become too friendly become a nuisance for the campus community. When the raccoons get in the way they have to be trapped and taken off campus.

Unfortunately, this usually ends up in the death of such raccoons.

So far, students have been split in their support for the raccoons. Most students disagree with the treatment of the furry animals.

“It’s inhumane to kill the raccoons,” said freshman Bill Pesce. “Can’t we just let them go somewhere else, without killing them?”

Feeding the animals only puts them in more danger than letting them go hungry. Raccoons need to learn to exist in their habitat without human interference.