Dear Editor,
Re: “Time to cull raccoons,” Letters, Feb. 7.
As a previous long-term resident of Richmond, hoping to return on a permanent basis soon, I’ve noticed the many changes here over the last 50 years when I arrived in 1969.
One thing that hasn’t changed, however, is the raccoon population. As a semi-protected species, raccoons have managed to live among us even as we encroach unfortunately on their environment.
They’re cute/fun to watch/take great care in raising their young. But they’re also dangerous.
There are many reasons why they’re dangerous.
By far the most important is the spread of disease. Raccoons are social animals and set up latrines. Raccoon feces contains roundworm.
This is extremely unhealthy for humans to indirectly touch or to even breathe.
Marc Rubens
Richmond
(see: CDC.gov/parasites/baylisascaris/resources/raccoonlatrines)
