U.E.S. Raccoon Dies in Custody

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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By Jen Chung in News on May 16, 2008 9:43 AM

Comments [rss]

sonyactivision

That raccoon had it coming: "Excessive existing in a No Existence Zone".

Reflect

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.

meL

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.

JacqueMehoff

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.

Bizzle

Could you imagine the NYPD starting an "Subway Rodent Eradication" Division?

Imagine the human loss from the collateral damage.

mdow

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.

dkim2015

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

holyfrijole

>>Why aren't they killing RATS instead?

Because rats are smarter than the NYPD.

Gregoire

Why aren't they killing RATS instead?

Ace

Why is it that almost every time an animal is "rescued" in NYC, it dies?

Medium Happiness

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?

Muscley Armed Paper Boy

Coons? When racoons try to get on our back porch, Momma just chase 'em off with a broom.

drewo

You want things done right?: don't call the NYPD.

Snoopy

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?

smitty

The badger died too!

Poor little raccoon.

Aridginal

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.

Dirk

@fakenewyorker... you're going straight to hell!!

kurteye

@fakenewyorker:

That's so racist...and racistly hilarious!

SP

What did I tell you?

whitecastlerock

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.