Yes, you read that correctly. Hundreds of hissing raccoons have reportedly been spotted in broad daylight on the streets of New York. And according to a story in the Daily Mail, the city could soon be "brought to its knees by an invading army which seems impossible to repel" while New Yorkers are "in fear for their lives".
Brooklyn resident Susan DeBrango - who had a close encounter with a hissing raccoon in her own garden - tells the newspaper: "They are adorable, but not in your backyard when they impact your life. When he saw me, he stood up on two legs and hissed at me."
Scary stuff indeed! But if you're now imagining Broadway, Times Square and Fifth Avenue teeming with rabid raccoons while terrified humans cower indoors, it appears this may not actually be the case.
Indeed, after the most cursory of Google searches, we've found this more balanced view from "Internet-only liberal news pundit" TJ Walker...
See? He's so unimpressed with the "hissing raccoons" story, he can barely cling to the thread of what he's saying.
And indeed, the official NYPD line on the matter is that raccoons pose no threat to humans. However, concerned residents have been advised to secure bin lids, bring pet food indoors and ensure there are no warm places on their properties in which raccoons could hide.
Right, panic over. As you were! Besides, not all raccoons are a menace. For instance, this one pursues a very useful career as a canine dentist...