Kentucky Nurse Saves Drunk Dumpster Raccoon with CPR

Nurse revives drunk raccoon found in dumpster (Photo provided by YouTube API - LEX18)

Letcher County nurse Misty Combs has seen plenty in her 21 years on the job — but nothing like this.

Working at the Letcher County Health Department in Whitesburg, Combs and her coworkers spotted a frantic raccoon pacing the parking lot. Moments later, they realized why: her babies were stuck inside a nearby dumpster behind Kentucky Mist Moonshine, where fermented peaches had been tossed.

One raccoon scrambled out with Combs’ help, but another lay face down in a pool of boozy peaches. Without hesitation, Combs pulled the animal out and began chest compressions. Video shows her performing CPR until, against all odds, the raccoon started breathing again.

“I was afraid it’d come-to and eat me up,” Combs joked, noting the risk of rabies. Thankfully, Fish and Wildlife stepped in, and a vet gave the little guy fluids to sober up.

The staff fittingly named him Otis Campbell, after The Andy Griffith Show’s famous town drunk. Once recovered, Combs released Otis back into the wild — the raccoon who survived moonshine and lived to tell the tale.

Jade Alexander

Jade Alexander

If you’re a native of South Florida, you know Jade from her many years on local radio as a Jock and on television as both an Entertainment Reporter and News Anchor. This Miami girl has hosted some pretty memorable shows, events, and parties in this town. She’s a hugger, the ultimate animal lover, and has never met a stranger.

Ben Harris

Just Ben

Just Ben joins Jade Alexander and Brittany Brave on the Jade Alexander Show, weekday mornings from 6A – 10A.

On AirHits 97.3 - The RHYTHM of Miami Logo