A bizarre incident occurred in Zhonghe District, New Taipei City, when a resident surnamed Zeng reported finding an animal resembling a fox hiding in their shoe cabinet. Upon closer inspection, the animal bared its teeth, appearing ready to bite. The resident immediately contacted the Animal Protection Office for assistance.
Upon arrival, animal control officers discovered that the mysterious creature was actually a raccoon. After scanning its microchip, they found that the owner, Mr. Xu, lived in a nearby apartment and quickly came to reclaim his pet. Mr. Xu explained that the mischievous raccoon had escaped by opening its cage door while the family was asleep, then pushed open a sliding window and climbed up to the rooftop balcony. It crossed over into the neighbor's apartment and hid in their shoe cabinet.
The neighbor discovered the raccoon in the morning and mistakenly identified it as a fox, prompting the call to animal control. Mr. Xu noted that raccoons are incredibly destructive and was relieved that the neighbor's shoes were not damaged. Following this incident, Mr. Xu plans to reinforce the cage locks and install an electronic tracking collar to prevent future escapes.
Animal control officer Cheng Pei-hong clarified that raccoons are not bears but belong to the raccoon family, which is related to bears. Originating from the Americas, raccoons are known for their intelligence and destructive capabilities. As nocturnal animals with poor eyesight, raccoons rely on their sensitive front paws to enhance their ability to recognize food, especially when wet.
Cheng also mentioned that raccoons often engage in amusing yet frustrating behavior by washing household items like wallets and phones. While it is legal to keep raccoons as pets in Taiwan, importing them has been prohibited since 2022. The Animal Protection Office advises the public to be cautious when encountering raccoons for sale or adoption, ensuring they are not involved in illegal activities.
To prevent pets from getting lost, residents can have their pets microchipped at local animal hospitals or the New Taipei City Animal Home during business hours, which helps identify and return lost pets to their owners.
