A quiet liquor store in Ashland, Virginia, became the scene of a very strange episode when a raccoon fell from the ceiling, landing directly among shelves full of bottles of spirits. The little intruder, an animal known for its curiosity and nocturnal habits, would have slipped onto the roof and then broken through one of the tiles but then found itself trapped inside the closed room.
Once on the ground, the raccoon began to explore the environment, bumping into some shelves and knocking over numerous bottles of whiskey and scotch. The broken glass released a mix of liquors onto the floor which the animal, attracted by the smell, began to lick. Not being able to metabolise alcohol, the involuntary consumption caused him rapid intoxication, to the point of reducing him to a state of semi-consciousness.
The discovery in the bathroom
When staff arrived the next morning, they found the store in disarray: shattered bottles, liquids scattered everywhere and the ceiling tile collapsed. Only after a more thorough check did the most surprising discovery come: the raccoon was lying in the bathroom, lying next to the toilet, completely unconscious. The local authorities joked about the incident, speaking of an animal that had “exaggerated with the shots”.
Operator intervention and release into nature
Animal Control Officer Samantha Martin was called to the scene to retrieve the animal. He said that the episode, although peculiar, is not entirely unusual when dealing with creatures that are as intelligent as they are unpredictable. Once transferred to the Hanover County shelter, the raccoon was monitored for hours. Luckily he had no injuries, but only the effects of a significant hangover. After recovering, the little explorer was released into his natural habitat. Raccoons, omnivorous animals and very widespread in the United States, are often attracted to urban centers, where they easily find food. This time, however, his curiosity led him straight into a night of… a perfect drunk.
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