Connecticut Family Traces “Clawing” Noise to a Trapped Squirrel in Their Chimney

After returning from a weekend wedding, Alanna Fox noticed her cat lingering near an unused chimney in the family’s living-room. The next day her six-year-old son reported hearing a persistent “clawing” noise. Fox inspected the area with a flashlight and a camera, capturing a small arm and mouth peeking through a gap in the chimney structure. The footage confirmed the source as a juvenile gray squirrel trapped between brick and pipe.

Newsweek

Fox and her husband contacted local wildlife rescue and animal-control services. A technician later reported that the squirrel was wedged in a space that could only be accessed by cutting the animal into pieces, a method the family declined. With no viable removal option offered, the family opted to wait for the animal to exit on its own. Over several days they observed the squirrel, occasionally speaking to it through the chimney opening. Eventually the clawing ceased, indicating the squirrel had left the enclosure.

Newsweek

The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection notes that most complaints about gray squirrels involve homeowners who discover the animals inside attics, eaves, or crawl spaces when access points are available. Such intrusions are common in the state, and wildlife officials typically advise sealing entry gaps and, when necessary, employing professional removal services.

Newsweek

With the squirrel gone, the Fox household reports a return to quiet. They remain prepared to identify any future clawing sounds, having learned to check chimney and crawl-space gaps promptly. The episode underscores the importance of regular home inspections in regions where gray squirrels frequently seek shelter.

Newsweek