Five newborn raccoons dumped at Christmas Hill Park

Five newborn raccoons were dumped around 7 p.m. on Sunday night at Christmas Hill Park.
Witnesses saw an adult male pull a trap used to catch animals from the trunk of his car. The trap contained five newborn raccoons. The man, allegedly a local, left the raccoons in the grass between the parking lot and creek.
A video of the raccoons taken by the witnesses can be found at: https://vimeo.com/21676774.
Wildlife Emergency Services, a nonprofit based in Moss Landing, is offering a $1,000.00 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the illegal dumping.
“It is illegal to trap and relocate wildlife in California,” said Rebecca Dmytryk, founder of Wildlife Emergency Services. The agency responds to wildlife rescue calls in Santa Cruz, San Benito and south Santa Clara County.
Native Animal Rescue in Santa Cruz picked up the raccoons and transferred them to SPCA in Monterey County where they are currently being treated for dehydration and minor injuries, according to Leah Gast, supervisor of the Wildlife Center at the SPCA.
“I hope they make it,” said Dmytryk about the baby raccoons. “Their eyes hadn’t even opened yet; I’m surprised they made it through the night.”
The raccoons are about two-and-a-half weeks old, explained Gast. The raccoons are on antibiotics and won’t be ready to released back into the wild until the end of summer or beginning of fall, she said.
The raccoons are the latest tenant at the bustling wildlife center, sharing space with crows, squirrels, opossums, owls and a host of songbirds, a majority of which have been attacked by domestic cats.
Dmytryk, who also runs a for-profit business helping residents deter wildlife on their property, said it isn’t animals with the problems, its people and their bad habits.
“People take matter into their own hands and tend to do things the wrong way. Getting rid of the animals doesn’t solve the problem. The animals are looking for food and shelter.”
Dmytryk recommends folks with wildlife issues not leave pet food or bird feed outside, especially overnight and check and clear any places where wildlife can hide like woodpiles.
Also, be sure to patch up any holes in houses or garages where wildlife can get in.
“The problem starts with us and ends with us – animals are innocent,” she said.
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