San Antonio ACS officers retrieve two snacking raccoons

Animal Care Service officers retrieved two rain-drenched raccoons this week from a dumpster, but not without a tussle from the pair upset at being taken away from their treasure chest of assorted snacks.

A Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation volunteer called the city’s 311 non-emergency number to ask for help in picking up the raccoons during Monday’s storm. Field Services Manager Aimee DeContreras and Field Services Supervisor Manuel Flores went to the scene behind a middle school on the Northeast Side, where the rascals had burrowed themselves deep into the wet trash and debris.

RELATED: North Texas woman shares photos, videos of repeated raccoon break-ins at apartment

The volunteer said time was of the essence — a garbage truck was scheduled to empty the dumpster that morning. And it was still raining.

As the sour stench of rotting trash surrounded the rescuers, Flores gently explored the soggy trash with a catch pole and finally tipped open the top of a box where they spied the wet, teenage raccoons huddled together, on all fours, looking like doused weasels. Behind them was a bag of shredded sun chips, an empty orange soda can and their next target, a large plastic bag of oatmeal creme pies.

“They had a plethora of food to choose from,” DeContreras said.

RELATED: San Antonio celebrates International Cat Day with all the kitty tweets

The pair froze when they were spotted, Flores said.

As the downpour increased, Flores nudged the box and the raccoons raised up on their hind legs, screeching and growling. He slipped the noose of the catch pole over the midsection of one of the raccoons, capturing it with the help of a net and locking it in a large plastic crate.

The other turned its back, motionless as a rock.

After securing the first raccoon, Flores retrieved the second scamp the same way. Once the young scavengers were reunited they calmed down.

RELATED: Photos show inside San Antonio airport's special restroom for traveling dogs, therapy animals

An ACS spokeswoman said the raccoons,which will be tested for disease, would be relocated if they’re healthy to another wooded area, away from people.

Flores said when food is thrown away in a residential bin or dumpster, it should be done in a manner that prevents wildlife access. There’s a list of helpful hints on what to do when encountering wildlife at the ACS website: http://www.sanantonio.gov/Animal-Care/Animal-Health-Welfare/Wildlife.

DeContreras said after they secured the pair, they checked the dumpster for any more critters. They only found shredded snacks and the bag of oatmeal creme pies.

“I wish ultimately the dumpster had a protective bar (to prevent opening). This one was wide open,” DeContreras said. “But I’m glad this had a good outcome. Manuel saved them.”

vtdavis@express-news.net