Man charged after allegedly mistreating raccoon he kept locked in a cage

A 55-year-old Burlington man is facing several charges after police discovered he was keeping a raccoon locked in his basement.

In a release, the Halton Regional Police Service said officers executed a search warrant at a home in Burlington on January 20 as part of an animal cruelty investigation.

Police had received information that a man was mistreating a raccoon. They also learned that there were “multiple” electrical and fire code violations inside the home.

Officers, as well as members of the Burlington Fire Department, Animal Control, and EMS, carried out the warrant and arrested one man.

The accused, whose name has not been released, has been charged with causing damage or injury to an animal, breaching a release order, and mischief over $5,000.

He has also been charged with keeping live game and wildlife in captivity under the Fishing and Wildlife Conservation Act.

Halton police said that during the search of the home, a raccoon was located in a locked cage. Due to the health condition of the animal, it had to be euthanized by Animal Control.

Police are asking anyone with information to contact Sargent Scott Heyerman at 905-825-4777 ext. 2342. Anonymous tips can be made to Crime Stoppers at  1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).