Ashley Domagola

Raccoon Lays Curled Atop Pole in Brooklyn for Hours, Prompting Makeshift Rescue by Concerned Neighbors

A mystery animal that lay curled up on top of a pole in Brooklyn for hours Wednesday is now safe after a makeshift rescue. 

Concerned neighbors decided to intervene Wednesday evening after noticing that it had been atop the pole on the 400 block of Jefferson Street in Bushwick since at least 10 a.m.

The pole is over four stories above the ground next to a warehouse building. Gillian Berman, who works in the area, told News 4 that she called both animal control and police, but they hadn't been responsive. 

News 4 left messages with the city's health department and Animal Care & Control, who said they had not received a report of the incident. 

It's unclear how the animal got on top of the pole, but residents Jason Miller and Carol Anne Leslie were determined to intervene. The pair taped five brooms together using duct tape and scared the racoon until it came down. 

Miller said that the racoon wasn't very cooperative, but eventually made its way down the pole and walked away.

"I think he wanted to come down, he just didn't know that he could," Miller said. "Sometimes we all need some encouragement." 

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