Feb 5, 2009 
Michael Shear writes for the Washington Post reports that raccoons have invaded the White House grounds.
The National Park Service is in pursuit of one very large raccoon and several medium-sized raccoons, who have been spotted roaming the grounds around the Executive Mansion and the West Wing, a spokesman said.
“The idea of raccoons on the White House grounds give us great pause,” spokesman Bill Burton said.
Was that pause or paws?
The National Park Service has put out live traps, but to no avail. Local critter trapper Tim McDowell says the NPS probably is using the wrong cages, or cages that don’t smell right. McDowell has offered to catch the raccoons for free.
McDowell has already removed birds that were flying inside the U.S. Capitol, but he says that he’s always dreamed of catching a raccoon on the White House grounds.
An unusual ambition, but to each his own.
According to legend, President Calvin Coolidge had several “unusual pets” including two raccoons, a bobcat and a donkey.
They were Grace’s pets, I think. At least the raccoons were.
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