Beating Raccoon
Des Moines, IA (US)

Incident Date: Wednesday, May 24, 2000
County: Polk

Disposition: Alleged

Alleged:
» John Randies
» Douglas Wedeking

A raccoon was digging through garbage in a neighborhood in Des Moines, Iowa.  Neighbors called animal control, but when an officer came by the raccoon couldn't be found.  Later in the day, children started throwing bricks at the Raccon.  John Randies began shooting at it with blow darts.  Finally, Douglas Wedeking, claiming he was concerned about the animal's welfare and the wellfare of the children, tried to finish off the injured raccoon with an ax handle.

When animal control officers arrived, the animal was still alive.  It was destroyed at the city shelter, and two darts were taken out after it was dead.

The city normally would not fine someone for humanely putting a mortally wounded animal out of its misery in a reasonable way, according to Assistant Chief William McCarthy.  But in the case of the raccoon, "that is yet to be determined."

Both Wedeking and Randies were charged with animal cruelty. 

References

• Des Moines Register

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