Raccoon’s wild night ends in bathroom blackout after whiskey binge
ASHLAND, VA – An Ashland liquor store opened Saturday morning to find shattered bottles, a collapsed ceiling tile, and a raccoon passed out cold on the bathroom floor after an apparent overnight alcohol binge.
The small mammal had broken into the closed store by falling through the ceiling, landing near shelves stocked with scotch and whiskey. The animal then knocked over multiple bottles, drinking from the pools of liquor before wandering into the back and losing consciousness.
Surveillance footage later revealed the moment the raccoon dropped from above and stumbled through the aisles, knocking over merchandise and causing visible damage. Staff arriving in the morning discovered the mess and found the raccoon unconscious in the restroom, surrounded by spilled alcohol and broken glass.
Animal control officers responded to the scene and transported the raccoon to a local shelter, where it was monitored and allowed to recover. After several hours of rest and no signs of serious injury, the raccoon was released back into a nearby wooded area.
Photos released by Hanover County Protection show the aftermath: splintered glass covering the floor, damaged inventory, and the raccoon motionless on the tile.
Officials reported that the animal appeared alert upon release and showed no signs of ongoing impairment. Store employees cleaned up the damage, which included several broken bottles, a damaged ceiling tile, and minor structural repair needs.
No other wildlife was found on the premises, and the raccoon is believed to have acted alone. Store management is now reinforcing roof access points to prevent similar incidents in the future.
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Key Points
- A raccoon broke into a Virginia liquor store by falling through the ceiling and consumed alcohol from broken bottles
- The animal passed out in the store’s bathroom and was found by staff the next morning
- After recovery at a local shelter, the raccoon was released back into the wild without injury
