Lambton OPP say they're being inundated with nuisance animal calls.
Police said Friday that homeowners having issues with racoons, skunks, bats or other critters on their property need to call a private animal removal service.
"The OPP does not have the equipment to trap and house live animals or transport live animals," said Staff Sergeant Ryan Olmstead in a news release. "Calling the police to deal with a nuisance animal ties up the phone lines at the communication centre and ties up law enforcement officers when they could be focusing on other issues in the community."
Police said it's a common myth that a raccoon walking during the day is sick or has rabies. They said it's true that raccoons are mostly nocturnal, but they can be active during the day for many different reasons. As the colder weather approaches, police said it will be more common on a nice warm day to see a raccoon or other animals out searching for food, preparing for the winter.