Community Corner

Animal Control Report: Deer Hunt Spills into Alexandria

Plus, a raccoon perishes in an HVAC unit.

Animal Control officers in Alexandria deal with a variety of calls every week. Here's a glance at some recent incidents in the city courtesy of Patrick Egan of the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria.

Deer chase — Two Fairfax County deer hunters chased a wounded deer into Alexandria and removed it, but no crime was committed.

On Sept. 7, an Animal Control officer was dispatched to the 6300 block of Stevenson Avenue after someone reported seeing two men in camouflage driving a pickup truck and discharging arrows at a deer.

Find out what's happening in Old Town Alexandriawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Urban archery season for antler-less deer began Sept. 7 in many parts of Virginia, including Fairfax County.

Animal Control determined the deer was shot within the county border, then the animal jumped a fence into Alexandria.

Find out what's happening in Old Town Alexandriawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The hunters followed the deer into Alexandria and “removed it,” according to the Animal Control office. The hunters had left the scene by the time police and Animal Control arrived. 

No crime was committed and the investigation has closed, according to the Animal Control office.

Raccoon perishes — A raccoon met its demise after finding itself trapped inside an HVAC unit.

On Aug. 27, an Animal Control officer was dispatched to the 5200 block of Taney Ave. after a resident found a raccoon stuck inside an HVAC unit. It was suggested the ring-tailed bandit found its way in through an uncapped ventilation shaft.

The animal’s paw was visible as it attempted to claw its way through the bottom of the unit.

Alexandria Animal Control is not equipped to dismantle HVAC equipment, so the homeowner was asked to call an HVAC technician.

The technician wasn’t able to reach the unit until the following morning. The Animal Control officer met him at the scene and, upon dismantling the unit, the raccoon was discovered to have perished during the night.   

Animal Control recommends city residents cap any chimneys or ventilation shafts to prevent wildlife from gaining access.

Alexandria Shelter Walk — AWLA will host its second annual Alexandria Shelter Walk for Homeless Animals on Oct. 20 at Market Square in Old Town. Dogs are welcome, and walkers are encouraged to bring their canine friends.

The event is the only fundraising walk that benefits AWLA and the Vola Lawson Animal Shelter.

For more information and to register, please visit the event website.


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