BRIDGEWATER, NJ — A hungry raccoon got herself in quite the predicament after sneaking into a dumpster outside TD Bank Ballpark in Bridgewater.
On Monday night the raccoon climbed into the dumpster outside the Somerset Patriots Baseball Stadium at 860 E Main St. and had “too many leftover hot dogs and pretzels,” said Somerset Regional Animal Shelter(SRAS) Director Brian Bradshaw to Patch.
After having her feast, the raccoon tried to squeeze through an opening at the bottom of the dumpster and got stuck, according to Bradshaw.
The next morning around 9 a.m., an employee pulled into the parking lot and saw the raccoon sticking halfway out of the hole of the dumpster and called for help.
Animal Control Officer Jess Ostrowski arrived first at the stadium and then called Bradshaw for help.
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Ostrowski and Bradshaw used a pry bar to make the hole larger and scrubbed the raccoon to slowly work her out “little by little” to avoid the raccoon getting cut.
“Our biggest worry is it was going to cut her stomach on the sharp metal,” said Bradshaw.
It took Ostrowski and Bradshaw about 45 minutes to free the raccoon and she didn’t fight them.
“She was quiet. She didn’t put up that much of a fight. She was tired the night before, but I think she knew we were offering help,” said Bradshaw.
After freeing the raccoon, she immediately ran off.
Bradshaw wanted to put the raccoon in a transport carrier to get her checked out but the raccoon had other plans.
This is just one of many animal rescues the shelter conducts for the area. The nonprofit shelter always needs support to continue to help animals and pets in need.
Community members can help the shelter by purchasing supplies from the shelter’s Amazon Wishlist or by making a monetary donation visit srasnj.org/donate.
The shelter is open daily from noon to 3:30 p.m. at 100 Commons Way in Bridgewater. No appointment is necessary.
Anyone interested in fostering or learning more about the shelter can call 908-725-0308 or visit srasnj.org or facebook.com/somersetregionalanimalshelter.
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