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Senator Tony Alleva submitted a bill that mirrors the one from last year, asking the city to pick up the critters (whose natural habitat includes Park Slope brownstones) at the public's request; and Assemblyman Andrew Hevesi, who represents parts of northern and eastern Queens, pushed a bill through that helps clarify the way raccoons are classified. The city currently only picks up raccoons that are "dangerous, sick or hurt," but the new measures would make it easier to transport them even if they're technically classified only as "nuisances." Both bills ask for "humane relocation" whenever possible.

"These are not cuddly little animals," said Avella. "They can be very aggressive and are not afraid of humans. If you have children and small pets, you have to be concerned." However, a statement issued from Health Department claims the bills don't mean much: "The Health Department's policy is to trap raccoons that are aggressive or ill, and there is no plan to change this," reps said.