Two cute raccoon kits had been rescued from a fire by the police after falling down a chimney.
The raccoons had been saved from a house in Dedham, Massachusetts, earlier this week.
Officers stated the kits are in all probability round 2 weeks previous as their eyes have not even opened but.
@DedhamPoliceDepartment/Zenger
It is believed they fell into the hearth from a smoke shelf inside the house’s chimney.
Dedham Police Department (DPD) stated in a press release on Tuesday: “These little raccoon babies were rescued from a resident’s fireplace chimney.
“Their eyes aren’t even open but – they’re doubtless simply two weeks previous!”
They went on: “Fireplace chimneys have been common spots for raccoons this season- as, for a momma raccoon, climbing onto a rooftop after which ascending down right into a chimney, gives her with a protected shelter inside which to provide start to her younger.
“Most chimneys have smoke shelves which are flat surfaces located between the smoke chamber and the firebox – and this shelf is what serves as both the nesting-and rearing spot.”
DPD urged making loud noises, shining brilliant lights, or utilizing vinegar-soaked rags when encountering raccoons in a chimney, including that kits will typically fall into the hearth when their mom climbs onto the roof.
If a resident finds raccoon kits of their hearth, police suggest calling Animal Control to take care of them as they will typically carry rabies.
The Dedham Police Department stated: “If you find you have raccoons in your chimney, there are some ways you can to try to eradicate them. These include making loud noises, shining bright lights, and/or placing rags soaked with substances with strong odors such as vinegar, up into the chamber below the shelf.
“Quite often though, while the momma raccoon may successfully escape the odor and climb out onto the roof, her kits, being too young, fall down under the smoke shelf and wind up inside the fireplace.
“In this case, it is best to contact Animal Control or a nuisance wildlife skilled. We strongly urge towards any pointless exposures or bodily contact with raccoons, as let’s not overlook that raccoons may be carriers of Rabies.
“Once the raccoons have been safely extracted from the chimney, the next recommendation is to place a cap on the chimney to prevent further, similar incidents.
“And if you have not but had any animals in your chimney, then putting a cap is an effective safety measure too!”
This story was offered to Newsweek by Zenger News.