Truck driver rescues family of raccoons trapped in Florida dumpster

BRADENTON, Fla. — Raccoons are noted for getting into the trash, particularly in dumpsters. But getting stuck in the large trash receptacles can be a problem.

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That is what one family of raccoons encountered at a west-central Florida dumpster on Friday. Fortunately for them, an alert trucker provided them a way to escape.

Robert Acton was making an early morning delivery in Bradenton when he heard a rustling noise coming from a nearby dumpster, WTVT reported.

Acton looked inside the dumpster and saw 10 young raccoons foraging through the trash, according to the television station.

Getting into the trash was not a problem for the animals. But getting out was a problem since the garbage was not piled high enough in the bin.

“Their mama taught them to get in the trash and they shouldn’t have,” Acton told WTVT.

Acton took a pallet from his truck and put it inside the dumpster, giving the raccoons a ladder of escape. Then he recorded video of the raccoons scampering out of the dumpster, WTVT reported.

Acton grabbed a pallet from his truck and placed it inside the dumpster, giving the family of raccoons the ability to climb out.

He recorded video showing the animals quickly scampering out of the bin.

Acton said he has seen this before. Last week, he heard noises coming from the same dumpster.

“There must’ve been 20 of them, and they got in but couldn’t get out,” Acton told WTVT.

Acton used a board last week to assist the raccoons.

“We should always be kind to Mother Nature, so I’m going to help these little guys,” Acton told the television station. “I’d hate to think of a compactor coming and throwing them in the back, that wouldn’t be good.”

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