Shoppers in Ashland, Virginia, were expecting a quiet post-holiday weekend—but a local liquor store had a very different kind of customer stumble in. Instead of a bargain-seeking human, staff arrived Saturday morning to discover an unexpected intruder: a heavily intoxicated raccoon sprawled out on the bathroom floor after an apparent all-night alcohol binge.

The incident unfolded at the Ashland ABC Liquor Store, which had been closed for Thanksgiving. When employees returned to work the following morning, they were greeted by a chaotic scene. Shattered glass littered the floor, multiple bottles of liquor were smashed, and puddles of whiskey, vodka, and other spirits soaked into the aisles. But the real shocker was waiting behind the bathroom door: a dazed raccoon curled between a trash bin and the toilet, snoring away like a bar patron who had reached his limit.

Hanover County Animal Protection and Shelter later confirmed that the animal—a “very drunk and very confused” raccoon—had broken in through a ceiling tile before embarking on what officials jokingly called a “full-blown liquor rampage.” According to animal control officer Samantha Martin, the raccoon appeared to have sampled several types of alcohol before gravity and intoxication finally won.

“He must have fallen through one of the ceiling panels, panicked, and then went straight for whatever bottles he could knock over,” Martin explained. “By the time we found him, he was completely passed out.”

The raccoon was gently collected, transported to the shelter, and monitored until he sobered up. Staff humorously described him as “hungover but unharmed,” noting there were no signs of injury—aside from poor judgment and an adventurous palate.

After a few hours of sleep and plenty of hydration, the furry culprit regained stability and was released safely back into the wild. Officials expressed hope that the raccoon learned “that breaking and entering is not the answer,” though they admitted it’s hard to know how much of the night he’ll actually remember.

Store staff also took to social media to thank animal protection officers for their quick response and professionalism—especially for providing the raccoon with what they jokingly called “a safe and sober ride home.”

The incident quickly went viral due to its humorous nature, with many comparing the raccoon to a weekend partygoer who took “bottom-shelf choices” a little too seriously. While funny, the shelter used the moment to remind the public that they handle all kinds of animal emergencies, from injured wildlife to unexpected intruders who find their way into unusual places.

For the Ashland liquor store, cleanup continued throughout the afternoon, with employees sweeping up glass and salvaging inventory. Though the store suffered losses, the staff managed to find humor in the chaos, saying the raccoon had “more expensive taste than expected.”

One thing is certain: Virginia has seen its share of unusual wildlife encounters—but a raccoon with a hangover? That’s a first.

FAQ

1. How did the raccoon get into the liquor store?
Officials believe it fell through a loose ceiling tile and wandered into the store.

2. What kind of alcohol did it drink?
Several broken bottles suggested the raccoon sampled multiple types of spirits, including scotch.

3. Was the raccoon harmed?
No. After sobering up at the animal shelter, it showed no injuries and was safely released.

4. Will the store press charges?
No. The incident was treated as a wildlife rescue, not a criminal case—despite the “breaking and entering.”

5. How common are such incidents?
Not very, though wildlife occasionally enters homes and businesses when seeking food or shelter.