Intoxicated raccoon discovered unconscious on liquor store floor following break-in

Employees at a Virginia liquor store were surprised on Saturday when they arrived to find that a very drunk raccoon had broken into the premises. The animal, nicknamed the "masked intruder," was discovered asleep in the bathroom, wedged between the toilet and a trash bin, after helping itself to some of the store's lower-shelf spirits.

Animal control officer Samantha Martin took the raccoon to Hanover County Animal Protection and Shelter for observation, allowing it time to sober up first. After a few hours of rest and showing no injuries apart from what seemed like a hangover, the raccoon was safely returned to the wild.

The Ashland ABC store had been closed for Thanksgiving when it experienced its unusual "Black Friday break-in." Upon opening on Saturday, staff encountered broken bottles and spilled liquor on the floor, including the animals apparent favorite, scotch. Officer Martin explained that the raccoon had entered through a ceiling tile and proceeded to cause chaos while sampling the alcohol.

Only a single, blurry CCTV photo captured the incident, leaving it unclear exactly how much the raccoon consumed before collapsing in the bathroom. In a social media post, the store expressed gratitude to Hanover County Animal Protection and Shelter for handling the situation professionally and providing the animal with a safe "ride home." Officer Martin commented that incidents like this are "just another day in the life of an animal control officer."

Author: Jackson Miller