QUINCY, Mass. – A Quincy man has been charged after allegedly attempting to set a raccoon on fire in his neighborhood. According to Quincy Police, officers responded to a home on Royal St. and found two neighbors arguing and a live raccoon with burn injuries in a trap cage.
Police were able to obtain a video that showed 63-year-old Andrew Chieu building a fire in a tin can and placing the cage, with the raccoon inside, on top of the tin can as the fire intensified. Chieu was subsequently arrested and arraigned in Quincy District Court on Tuesday on a charge of Cruelty To Animals.
The injured raccoon was transported to a local animal hospital by a Quincy Animal Control Officer for treatment, although the extent of its injuries remains unknown. The situation has drawn widespread attention and concern from animal rights activists, who are advocating for justice for the injured raccoon.
The incident has sparked discussions about the importance of upholding animal welfare laws and the need for stricter penalties for those who commit acts of animal cruelty. It also serves as a reminder of the ongoing efforts to protect and care for wildlife in urban environments. The case has been met with outrage and calls for justice for the injured raccoon as the community demands accountability for those who harm animals.
For now, the raccoon’s condition and the outcome of the case remain uncertain, but it has prompted important conversations about animal welfare and the legal consequences for those who violate animal cruelty laws.