‘Hot Trash Summer:’ Ashland’s drunk raccoon strikes again
May 09, 2026
ASHLAND, Va. (WRIC) — Tan lines and trash finds -- that's what's powering a certain furry internet sensation this summer.
Hanover County Animal Protection and Shelter recently introduced the "Summer Trashed Panda" merch, the latest in its “Trashed Panda” series inspired by a local raccoon ce
lebrity who broke into and ransacked an Ashland ABC store late last year.
The summer edition features an illustration of a raccoon face down on a beach towel beneath an umbrella. Above him, a phrase that reads, "Hot Trash Summer."
(Photo: Hanover County Animal Protection and Shelter)VIDEO: Raccoon drunkenly waddles through Virginia ABC store in Hanover
Last year, Hanover officers found the animal face down next to the toilet on Nov. 30, 2025, at the Ashland ABC store. They determined that the bizarre incident happened after a wild night -- the raccoon had broken into the store, ransacked several shelves, become intoxicated and then passed out in the bathroom.
After the incident went viral nationally and internationally, the raccoon quickly became an internet sensation. Residents flocked to the Ashland ABC store, Virginia ABC launched a campaign in his honor and Hanover County has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars in “Trashed Panda” T-shirt sales as of December 2025.
Proceeds from the "Summer Trashed Panda" merch support Hanover County Animal Protection and Shelter. Click here to purchase.
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