Who doesn't know of skunks? A great nuisance. They dig around in your yard. Damage the fences and walls. Don't even start on the numerous diseases they carry, and one of them being rabies is very likely. They can infect any pets and animals that approach them. And all it needs is one small bite or a scratch. Don't forget about the irritatingly and very smelly stink they spray when they feel threatened.
Can they help?
So your first instinct is to grab the phone and report to the city or county animal services. But to no avail. Handling animals like skunks, possums, and raccoons who infest into homes is beyond them. They are usually for getting and renewing animal permits and ownership. They handle cases like stray cat problems, dog bites and sometimes other animals posing a public health risk.
They are likely to advise on how to deal with the problem yourself. Or tell you to look elsewhere. They are not qualified for this kind of work. Regardless you may get them to help you in some instances.
Public Health Risk
Skunks are known to carry rabies. If you can get some assurance that the particular skunk is rabid (possibly by seeing if it froths from the mouth). And show that it frequents the neighborhood. This will be taken as a public health risk, and they will need to intervene. The sickness can be something else that rabies as well.
They will usually come with borrowed equipment and try their luck.
Damage to property
If the skunk has infested on government property and has started to damage it - dug holes around the government property, scratched and defected wooden objects – the animal services will come in like SWAT teams to deal with the possible culprit. The problematic skunk.
A similar circumstance where their help can be gained is damage to your property. If you prove to them that a skunk has damaged your property, you may get lucky. The damage must be visual and a little on the high end. Like many digs in the garden. Porch and fence vandalism.
They will try to help but in minimal. They will catch and relocate the skunk for you. But not search the attic of your house thoroughly. They will also not try to find skunk babies hidden somewhere.
Who can help?
Whenever such a problem occurs, leave the animal control services be. It's not their cup of tea. They are better suited to handling legal issues related to pet animals. Instead look for your local wildlife control services or people how to handle wildlife infestations.
These bad boys are heavily equipped with everything necessary. They know what to do, how to do it and how long it will take. A professional is a level above others and no can argue with that.
Go back to the Chemung County wildlife removal home page.