Raccoon campaign funds county cameras
Hanover County Animal Control will use $250,000 from the 'Trashed Panda' sales to buy body cameras for officers.
By Leila Mansour ·
A campaign linked to a drunken raccoon captured in Virginia has raised $250,000 for Hanover County Animal Control. The funds will purchase body cameras for animal protection officers, covering more than half the cost of the new equipment.
The story began almost a year ago when a raccoon was caught inside an ABC store in Hanover. The incident went viral, prompting the county to launch the "Trashed Panda" initiative. Since then, the department has sold shirts featuring the animal. Jeffrey Parker, chief of animal protection for Hanover County, stated the campaign has generated approximately $280,000 since its start.
Parker said the department had considered installing body cameras for years but lacked the funding to proceed. The viral moment accelerated the timeline. He explained that the department had been gathering data to seek funding, but the raccoon's fame helped them move faster. Parker planned to request the cameras in the county budget but used the campaign proceeds to save taxpayer dollars.
The cameras are intended for officer safety, transparency, and court documentation. Parker noted that officers previously relied on the sheriff’s office for body cam footage on scene. With the new equipment, the animal protection team can record incidents independently. He said the footage will also help resolve complaints about staff and ensure reports are accurate, reducing the risk of disciplining good officers.
The $250,000 covers all equipment and service costs for the first year. Service for years two through five will come from the county budget. The department is currently gathering more projects for the remaining funds. Parker said the money will also be used for new animal housing, toys, a temperature-controlled food shed, and a community pet pantry. He said the goal is to use all the money for the animals in the department.
Officers will train over the next couple of months to prepare for the new devices. The initial start date for officers to wear the cameras is Jan. 4, 2027. Parker said the department will split the funding between field operations and shelter operations.
The original raccoon was released after its capture. Parker said he does not know where the animal is now. He hopes it is living a good life and not breaking into businesses anymore. He added that he hopes it is a sober one.
