Raccoon on subway stops Torontonians in their tracks
Animal 'didn't have proof of payment,' says TTC spokesperson
Toronto commuters were stopped in their tracks Friday morning when an intrepid raccoon made its way into the subway tunnel, causing TTC to delay service.
A subway operator steering a train on the Yonge-University line spotted a raccoon making its way onto the tracks shortly before 9:30 a.m. as he approached Bloor-Yonge Station. The animal was walking along the catwalk, according to TTC spokesperson Brad Ross.
This isn't the first time a raccoon has tried to ride the subway. Toronto has been dubbed "raccoon city" after a few incidents with the animals in the past.
The subway operator stopped the train and called the TTC's transit control centre who advised the train proceed slowly into the station, said Ross.
Started my day watching <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TTC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TTC</a> workers chase a v. thicc raccoon through a subway car at Yonge station <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/peakToronto?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#peakToronto</a>
—@zandra_leeBy this time, the raccoon had made its way to the platform and proceeded to board the train before station staff removed it.
"The raccoon was very calm, it didn't try to run away," explained Ross. "We brought him into the back room and placed him, appropriately, in a garbage bin."
The raccoon was then handed off to Toronto Animal Services, who caged it for safe release.
"He didn't have proof of payment, so that's a problem," said Ross.
This morning's <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TTC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TTC</a> racoon is resting comfortably and being fed while awaiting safe transport at Bloor Station <a href="https://t.co/EgqykB6DB2">pic.twitter.com/EgqykB6DB2</a>
—@TTCStuartUpdate... <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ttctrashpanda?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ttctrashpanda</a> being taken for safe release. No fare collected...he/she was under 12 yrs. old. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TTC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TTC</a> <a href="https://t.co/YaeURqkIQ9">pic.twitter.com/YaeURqkIQ9</a>
—@TTCStuartRoss says the area north of Bloor and Yonge Street near Rosedale Ravine Lands Park is "open cut" and exposed. He suspects the raccoon may have come from there.
Torontonians posted their reactions online, including Mayor John Tory and Coun. Janet Davis who praised TTC staff for taking care of the raccoon.
We always knew rolling out the new raccoon-resistant green bins would have consequences. Thanks to <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TTC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TTC</a> and City staff for helping this raccoon off the subway this morning. <a href="https://t.co/Q7KgZsNIoj">https://t.co/Q7KgZsNIoj</a>
—@JohnToryCoun. <a href="https://twitter.com/Janet_Davis?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Janet_Davis</a> applauds TTC/animal control staff for apprehending a raccoon that ran the length of a subway train on the Yonge line this morning?! Did anybody see this chase? We must have video/pics. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Toronto?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Toronto</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TOpoli?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TOpoli</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Raccoonnation?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Raccoonnation</a>
—@johnrieti