Quincy, MA – A man is facing charges for allegations that he set fire to a live raccoon who was trapped in a cage. Police arrested Andrew Chieu on Saturday after arriving to property on Royal Street in Quincy, and finding two neighbors arguing, and a burned raccoon in a cage.
Amazingly, the raccoon survived, albeit with severe injuries. The New England Wildlife Center has taken the animal into their care and issued a release about the cruel incident on Wednesday:
On the 31st, law enforcement brought us a raccoon who had been set on fire in Quincy. Unfortunately, this was an intentional act. Reportedly the trap he was enclosed in was placed over an open flame leaving the animal unable to protect himself.
Describing the extent of the raccoon’s injuries:
He suffered severe burns to his stomach, back, and paws. Raccoons have more nerves running to their hands than almost any other animal on earth, so we know this has to be extremely painful. Almost all of its fur is either completely missing or burnt from the fire. Burns this severe are extremely painful and pose a severe health risk for the animal. Besides the obvious skin damage, burns this widespread can lead to severe infection, dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, and blood pressure issues.
Chieu was arraigned on Tuesday in Quincy District Court on a charge of cruelty to animals. The wildlife center said:
This is an open and active investigation between the Quincy Police and Norfolk County District Attorney’s Office and we are working closely with them on this incident.
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