Philadelphia Lawmakers Try To Force City To Take Over Raccoon Trapping
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- City Council today tackled what some residents say is a growing problem in Philadelphia: increasingly aggressive raccoons getting into trash, and even chasing after children.
Councilman Darrell Clarke's bill requires the city to develop a clear policy to allow for the trapping of raccoons that are bothering residents. Currently, the homeowners are responsible for trapping, after which the city will come and collect the caged animal for relocation (see previous stories).
Clarke says it's an issue he hears about frequently.
"We did have a couple of incidents documented where a raccoon actually chased a child down the street over in the North Philadelphia community," he tells KYW Newsradio.
But several speakers said that raccoons are not aggressive and called the bill a policy of murder.
"I strongly urge city officials to change the city slogan to 'The city that loves you back, but hates animals with a passion, for no good reason,' said animal rights Christina Kobland, speaking to City Council.
Clarke responded that the bill calls only for the "abatement" of raccoons, not their extermination.
Council passed the measure, 14-2, but the Nutter administration has said it will only develop policies that match the current situation -- leaving homeowners to fend for themselves.
Reported by KYW City Hall bureau chief Mike Dunn
