Raccoons are out and about in Ladner.

At least that’s what the City of Delta is informing residents in a recent letter about a “possible presence” of raccoons in your neighbourhood.

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Noting the animals are opportunistic creatures that are attracted to urban areas by the easy accessibility of food, water and shelter, the three-page notification provides advice on discouraging raccoons.

The letter states the city does not have a raccoon control program, advising people that if the presence of raccoons on their property or in their neighbourhoods is causing a nuisance, they should contact a pest control company to assist in the humane removal of the animals.

It also notes poisoning the animals is illegal.

Raccoons found damaging private property may be lawfully captured and humanely euthanized, at the discretion of the landowner, according to the city’s website.

“However, trap-and-release or trap-and-euthanize practices are not effective as such practices make the territory available for re-colonization by a new family of raccoons There are no sanctioned release sites for captured raccoons. Successful raccoon population management occurs when neighbourhoods diligently manage food and shelter and consistently maintain behaviours that demonstrate human dominance.”