Community Corner

Animal Control Report: Raccoon Takes Stroll Through Metro Station

A look at some recent incidents in Alexandria.

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 Cole, the director of communications and outreach at the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria

Dog in safekeeping after DUI — At 2:30 a.m. Jan. 28, an Animal Control officer was dispatched to the 500 block of Madison Street to assist the Alexandria Police Department during a DUI arrest. The suspect was stopped while traveling with a dog in his vehicle.

When the Animal Control officer arrived, the suspect had already been taken into custody. The officer removed the dog from the vehicle so it could be towed, and the animal was taken to the Vola Lawson Animal Shelter for safekeeping. The dog will be cared for by the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria until the owner can reclaim the pet.

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Raccoon strolls through Metro station — On the evening of Jan. 26, an Animal Control officer responded to a report of a raccoon inside the King Street-Old Town Metro Station in the 1900 block of King Street. Metro employees spotted the animal and called Animal Control for assistance.

When the officer arrived, he was not able to locate the raccoon. He spoke to the station manager, who advised him that the raccoon had walked in one end of the station and exited at the other end.

Find out what's happening in Del Raywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The officer searched the entire station and confirmed the raccoon was no longer present.

Trap-Neuter-Return Program launches — Using a grant from PetSmart Charities, the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria has launched a trap-neuter-return program in the city. The AWLA is offering assistance to feral cat caretakers and other concerned citizens to humanely and effectively reduce the number of free-roaming cats in the city. AWLA provides supplies, training and financial backing for spay/neuter surgeries. The program runs at no cost to the public. A schedule of upcoming workshops and more information is available online.

For more information about Alexandria Animal Control, visit the AWLA website.


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