A New York police officer is under investigation following the fatal shooting of a raccoon.
On January 22, at approximately 7:45am local time, a 911 call was received about a reportedly aggressive animal roaming Rockaway Beach, New York City.
Upon arrival, New York police officers confronted the situation.
Unfortunately, in this encounter between human and raccoon, the raccoon was shot and killed by an officer.
According to a statement emailed to AP News from a police department spokesperson, officers were trying to guide the raccoon to a safer location.
The raccoon allegedly turned aggressive and charged at people, prompting the officer to discharge his weapon.
Bodycam footage from the event was shared by the Daily News and has been circulating on social media.
The footage shows a raccoon with two individuals nearby, and from the camera’s perspective, no one else seems to be in close proximity to the animal.
The camera records the moment the firearm discharges three times, with the officer announcing: “Three shots fired at the raccoon.”
Social media users have quickly expressed their opinions.
One Facebook commenter stated: “This is absolutely horrifying and disturbing. If the raccoon was distressed, a rehabber should have been called and the raccoon could’ve been humanely euthanized at a vet. What this officer showed was inhumane and disturbing behavior with a lack of good judgement. Kudos to the officers who refused the sergeant’s order. This needs to be handled seriously and investigated properly.”
Another user said: “This is extremely messed up. What’d that poor raccoon do to deserve that? It almost made me cry to be honest. Disgusting actions by this NYPD sergeant!”
On the other hand, a third person came to the officers’ defense, questioning the rush to judgment without full knowledge of the situation.
They elaborated: “Perhaps because it’s an excuse to call the officer vile names and vent their unprocessed rage. And they call other people bigots.
“Days ago, someone reported a raccoon walking around in circles on the boardwalk during daylight hours. Raccoons exhibiting this behavior most likely have rabies or distemper, both diseases almost always fatal if these symptoms have appeared. The animal is a clear and present danger to human beings at that point.
“Last I heard, there was a trap out and Animal Control was called. Perhaps the raccoon threatened a human in some way and the officer took action.”
The incident is being examined by the department’s Force Investigation Division, and the officer involved has been placed on modified duty.
The New York Police Department’s Force Investigation Division has been contacted for further comment.