Relocation of Raccoons in Ohio? Not Allowed
Sometimes we get caught between a rock and a hard place when it comes to trapping raccoons (and other potential species defined by the state as rabies vectors).
The rock is that potential clients have raccoons that have become a real nuisance in many ways and they want them gone.
And the hard place is that they then ask us if we can live trap them and relocate them because they don’t want the animals harmed.
And while we strongly empathize with this request, our answer is always the same: we have to follow the laws of the State of Ohio.
And what is that law you ask? Well it is the Ohio Administrative Code 1501:31-15-03 Nuisance Wild Animal Control.
In Section E, Number 3, the code states: It shall be unlawful to fail to euthanize, or release on site, any nuisance raccoon, skunk, beaver, coyote, fox, or opossum that is captured, trapped or taken.
There it is. We can’t legally take raccoons (or other species listed) and release them somewhere else. We can release them alive, but only on the same property (on site) where they are captured.
So if we catch them in an attic, for instance, we can take them outside and release them. Some people who have addressed how they are getting in choose to do this and it is legal. But, for a lot of people who have bold raccoons harassing the pets and getting into the garbage, catching them outside and then releasing them again doesn’t make much sense.
We realize this law frustrates many people and can be a hot button issue. But, as a business regulated by the State, we must follow the laws.
Additionally, we honestly trust that the biologists who advised our lawmakers on this provision know what they are doing.
Is Rabies from Raccoons an Issue in Ohio?
Again, we are not biologists. But, we do know that in addition to the Division of Wildlife biologists, the Stark, Summit and Portage County Health Department officials take rabies very seriously as well.
It seems that it’s one of those diseases that needs constant vigilance; as keeping a tight lid on its occurrence in the wild is our best defense against any potential human contraction. Vaccinations for pets, vaccinations by plane drop for wild animals (yes, they do that), and following the nuisance animal laws is the best formula to keep rabies in check.
Take a look at this insert that was included in the City of Akron’s water bills just this past month (August 2015). On the reverse side it had the location and times of all the reduced cost rabies vaccinations clinics for pets offered by the Summit County Health Department. It tells us that Akron and Summit County take the threat of rabies seriously.
In the side bar below the picture of the raccoon, what we’ve written above is reiterated: raccoons can’t be relocated.
And, all of the bulleted points above cover many of the preventative steps that make good sense when trying to keep raccoons and other animals from becoming a nuisance at your house.
Lots of Raccoons in Our Suburban / Urban Environs
Thankfully, we have not encountered rabies here in the Akron, Canton, Kent area. Ryan has been bitten a couple of times and has had to work with the Health Department sending a “sample” to the CDC in Atlanta for testing–but that’s a different story we’ll save for another day.
But, what we have encountered is a plethora of raccoons. From our most urban to our most rural settings here in the Stark / Summit / Portage Count area, it certainly seems that raccoon populations are alive and well. Just ask some of the homeowners who’ve contacted us recently for raccoon removal.
Here is a very short video which shows a group of raccoons that was trapped because they really took a liking to the garbage cans and were persistent. Catching multiple raccoons in one night at one place is common as the mother and the young of the year are still together.
Yes, rabies is a concern but it is a disease which can be kept at bay and away from humans through following the laws on vaccination, reporting, and wild animal relocation.
For more on raccoon removal and trapping in the Canton, Kent, Akron area please check out our:
