For a few tense days in Browns Point, the noisiest neighbors on the block were not the ones throwing parties. State wildlife officers moved in last week and removed five squirrels from the Tacoma neighborhood after residents reported the animals acting aggressively and at least one person was bitten and treated.
The incident shook nearby households and brought a quick handoff between county responders and state wildlife staff. Officials say the problem squirrels appeared “habituated,” or comfortable around people, a red flag that can lead to bolder behavior and more human-wildlife run-ins.
According to The News Tribune, the Pierce County Sheriff's Department received two emails late last week describing aggressive squirrels in Browns Point. Deputies passed those complaints to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), whose biologists then trapped and removed five squirrels that staff described as showing habituated behavior. A Tacoma resident who had been bitten sought medical treatment, the outlet reported.
WDFW urges caution and reporting
WDFW officials say it is a straightforward equation: when people feed or otherwise habituate wild animals, those animals lose their natural caution around humans and the odds of confrontation go up.
The agency asks the public to report dangerous or injured wildlife to WDFW's WILDCOMM communications center. Enforcement contact information is listed on the department site at wdfw.wa.gov.
County says animal control stops at pets
Pierce County animal control staff told The News Tribune that their office deals with domesticated and exotic animals, not wild wildlife. That is why reports about the Browns Point squirrels were routed to WDFW instead of a county animal control officer showing up.
The Pierce County Sheriff's Department said it logged the emails from concerned neighbors and then pointed residents to state resources so WDFW could handle any field response.
How neighbors can lower the odds of trouble
WDFW's advice for avoiding another showdown with wildlife comes down to basic housekeeping and restraint. Recommendations include:
- Stop feeding wild animals, including squirrels
- Secure trash and bird seed so animals cannot treat it like a buffet
- Pick up and remove fallen fruit from yards
- Keep pet food indoors instead of on porches or patios
For immediate public safety concerns, the agency advises calling 911. For non-emergency issues, residents can use WDFW's reporting forms at wdfw.wa.gov or contact the WILDCOMM communications center listed on the department website.
