OPP arrest suspected impaired driver with baby raccoon in vehicle
Posted July 12, 2023 12:13 pm.
Last Updated July 12, 2023 4:38 pm.
Ontario Provincial Police in Huntsville say they arrested a suspected impaired driver who had an unexpected passenger with him.
“The male had a baby raccoon with him,” the OPP tweeted just before noon on Wednesday.
It’s not clear why the person had a raccoon with him at the time.
#HvilOPP Huntsville officers arrested a male for impaired operation of a vehicle. The male had a baby raccoon with him. Raccoon is on its way to Aspdin Valley Wildlife Sanctuary. Thank you to the public for reporting this driver to police! ^dm pic.twitter.com/4iFCZAYtsr
— OPP Central Region (@OPP_CR) July 12, 2023
Police say they made the arrest at a parking lot on Cann Street on Wednesday morning after receiving calls from the public.
The raccoon is being sent to the Aspen Valley Wildlife Sanctuary.
A 39-year-old man from South River is facing charges of operation while impaired, cannabis readily available and breach of conditions.
According to the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, it is illegal to keep a native wild animal as a pet in the province of Ontario. This includes raccoons, squirrels, and foxes, for example. The fine for keeping any native wildlife is $240.
