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Large groundhogs, raccoons terrorizing Salisbury neighborhood

SALISBURY, N.C. — Raccoons and groundhogs have been running wild in Salisbury's West End neighborhood, and residents said the animals have been terrorizing the community for years.

Rowan County Animal Services has trapped raccoons and groundhogs that some say are about 40 pounds.

"What in the world is that?” asked resident Ella Woods when she first encountered a groundhog. “It just took me aback. I didn't know what it was. It was huge, it wasn't a dog.”

Councilman Kenny Hardin said he's gotten neighbor complaints for years about aggressive rodents and snakes crawling out of a stormwater runoff ditch near West Horah Street.

Cellphone video captured a large groundhog roaming through the neighborhood Thursday morning.

"He tore the cage up, tore the handle off, shook the cage,” said Hardin.

The animals tear holes in the ground, gnaw at people's homes and eat their gardens.

Hardin went to County Commissioner Craig Pierce for assistance in getting rid of the animals.

"Raccoons are notorious for getting rabies,” Pierce said. “Last thing we need is a rabid animal running around.”

Pierce called county Animal Services and said they've pledged to catch as many animals as they can.

Some residents said city leaders should cut back trees, grass and weeds more often and also provide better drainage.

"Crews maintain the grass around the basin frequently," city leaders said in a statement. "However, vehicles are not able to fully access the area to clear the vegetation and wildlife."

They said public services workers are getting quotes for large machinery to access the area and explore rehabilitating the structure.

City leaders said the funds to rehabilitate that stormwater drainage area should be presented in the 2017-2018 budget.

Full statement from City of Salisbury:

The stormwater detention structure in question was built in the mid-1980s in an attempt to stop frequent flooding along W. Innes Street. The dry detention basin is designed to reduce the flow of water traveling under W. Innes Street by holding large volumes of rainwater and slowly letting it out over time. Since the basin was constructed, silt has accumulated and unwanted vegetation has grown. Grounds Maintenance staff maintains the grass around the basin frequently. However, vehicles are not able to fully access the area to clear the vegetation and wildlife. The Public Services Department has been working to receive quotes for large machinery to access the area and exploring rehabilitating the structure. The funds for this rehabilitation are expected to be presented in the 2017-2018 budget.