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Photograph by catelinp on Flick
The raccoon seen in a tree at East 88th Street and 1st Avenue ultimately died after the police tried to capture it. The Post reports the cops "bungled" the raccoon rescue operation, firing tranquilizer darts "deep in its body."
Animal Control said the animal was euthanized because it would have been "difficult, if not impossible, to remove them." But some residents told the Post the police were joking about "harpooning" the raccoon. Linda Elkstrand said, "I just don't think they handled it as humanely as they could have," and filed a complaint with the police.
The NYPD said that there were concerns the raccoon might be rabid. During a rabies outbreak in 2006, Staten Islanders were told if they see "cute little raccoon in their backyard, staring at their children as they run around under an afternoon sun, it would be a good idea to pull the kids inside" (a raccoon's acceptance of daylight could be a sign of rabies).
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Textbook case of raccoon-ism in the police force!
how about we start using tranquilizer darts on criminals it's more humane than a bullet, i think al sharpton would have to agree.
Unless the raccoon is stumbling around, foaming from the mouth, or not seeking shelter like a wild animal should upon being approached, IT PROBABLY DOESN'T HAVE RABIES! People are so quick to point at any raccoon they see during the day and scream "Rabies!" without reason. Truth of the matter is, raccoons sometimes come out during the day to look for food or run to another tree in which to rest. Raccoons are as much a part of the city landscape as pigeons are. I don't understand why they tranquilized, and ultimately killed this raccoon while it was in a tree. People would be surprised to know that raccoons do sleep in street trees from time to time. The NYPD needs to hire some cops that are educated in animal behavior and know when an animal should or should not be captured. This raccoon should have been left alone.
More police brutality. Sad news.
This city has a bad history with corralling wild animals. Hal, the coyote, died shortly after being in custody. Even that hero cat-cop got run over after being taken in by the DA.
Lesson - city government and nature don't mix.
Somebody call AL Sharpton!
Another coon dies in NYPD custody.
I'm deeply sorry for this comment.
I wonder if it took the police 50 shots to bring him down.
Why shoot the raccoon with anything? It was pointless. Chances are if you left the thing alone it would have gone about its business—harming no one. This was just a waste of time and resources on the NYPD's behalf.
What did I tell you?
@fakenewyorker:
That's so racist...and racistly hilarious!
@fakenewyorker... you're going straight to hell!!
You can't use tranquilizer's with humans like with animals - something similar is rubber bullets, but even with those they stil have a chance to attack. Bullets stop the thugs from attacking.
The badger died too!
Poor little raccoon.
Add that to the beaver from last month. NYPD just can't help itself from being the overkill guys. Why didn't they tease him with a taser?
Did they really need to use those new automatic weapons on the innocent varmint?
You want things done right?: don't call the NYPD.
Coons? When racoons try to get on our back porch, Momma just chase 'em off with a broom.
What's wrong with the people in this city?
They can't handle a harmless Raccoon in a tree and now I am reading about a Pigeon eradication plan involving electronic hawks?
Why is it that almost every time an animal is "rescued" in NYC, it dies?
Why aren't they killing RATS instead?
>>Why aren't they killing RATS instead?
Because rats are smarter than the NYPD.
don't compare raccoons with other undesirables! raccoons are freaking awesome! theyre like ninjas and they have thumbs to open jars.
how come nobody shoots pigs anymore
indeed, rats are smarter than NYPD, and the raccoons i've encountered have been too. of course, pigs are also smarter than pigs, the latter of course referring to the ones dkim is referring to, and the ones i wonder why nobody shoots anymore too.
but the good news is that one who killed himself yesterday. at least someone did something.
Could you imagine the NYPD starting an "Subway Rodent Eradication" Division?
Imagine the human loss from the collateral damage.
there should be definitive list of animals who died while being rescued.
didn't the tiger in the project die?
I'm glad we don't have pandas in NYC.
Wow. Some of the comments in this place...
#23 - That was pretty heartless.
But overall I do agree, why was there so much effort by the NYPD for that one little thing... and what happened to um... the ASPCA? Aren't they the ones who usually are called to corrall wild animals?
And when in trouble, never call the NYPD-- call the FDNY, at least the most damage they can do to you is waterhose you... or axe you down; whichever comes first.
The cops find there jobs entertaining. It not about humanities or having respect for other creatures. I seen like 5 of them in queens laughing at this guy who was drunk and fell in the street. Its all a game to them as they drive around gettin fat and passing judgment. Most at least, especially the male population.
That raccoon had it coming: "Excessive existing in a No Existence Zone".