• Victoria Vidal was arrested after police found her raccoon, Chewy, with a meth pipe in her car during a traffic stop in Springfield Township, Ohio.
• The traffic stop occurred because Vidal had an active warrant and a suspended driver's license.
• In addition to the raccoon and meth pipe, police found methamphetamine and crack cocaine in Vidal's vehicle.

On Monday, Springfield Township police officer Austin Branham conducted a traffic stop on South Arlington Road after identifying a vehicle whose registered owner had an active warrant and a suspended driver’s license. The driver, Victoria Vidal, was found to have a pet raccoon named 'Chewy' in the car. Upon approaching the vehicle, officers observed Chewy sitting in the driver's seat with a meth pipe in its mouth, leading to a search of the vehicle where drugs were found. Vidal was arrested and charged with multiple offenses.

• What: A woman was arrested after police found her pet raccoon, Chewy, holding a meth pipe in the driver's seat of her car. A subsequent search of the vehicle revealed a bulk amount of methamphetamine, crack cocaine, and three used glass methamphetamine pipes.
• Who: Victoria Vidal (55 years old, of Akron, Ohio), Officer Austin Branham, Chewy (the raccoon), Springfield Township Police Department, Cuyahoga Falls Police.
• When: The incident occurred on Monday at approximately 7:15 p.m. The ABC News article was published May 7, 2025.
• Where: South Arlington Road, Springfield Township, Ohio.

The incident highlights the unexpected situations law enforcement can encounter. The fact that the raccoon was found with drug paraphernalia led to a more thorough search of the vehicle, revealing additional illegal substances. The owner faces serious charges, and the incident raises questions about responsible pet ownership and drug-related crime.

"While our officers are trained to expect the unexpected, finding a raccoon holding a meth pipe is a first! No raccoons were hurt or injured in this incident. As always, we remain committed to keeping our community safe — no matter what surprises may come our way."

The arrest of Victoria Vidal, 55, following the discovery of her raccoon, "Chewy," with a meth pipe in its mouth, highlights a confluence of drug-related offenses, animal ownership regulations, and the opioid crisis. During a traffic stop on May 5, 2025, initiated due to an active warrant and suspended license, Springfield Township Police found Chewy in the driver's seat with drug paraphernalia, prompting a vehicle search that revealed methamphetamine, crack cocaine, and additional pipes. Vidal faces charges including felony drug possession, possession of drug paraphernalia, and driving under suspension, with the possibility of further charges pending lab results. While Ohio law permits raccoon ownership with proper documentation, this incident raises questions about responsible pet ownership amid drug addiction. Authorities confirmed Chewy was unharmed and is under the care of a family member. The arresting officers expressed concern for Vidal's well-being and the broader implications of drug addiction, emphasizing that the situation could have involved a child. This unusual case underscores the unexpected challenges law enforcement faces and the importance of addressing both drug-related crime and animal welfare.