Saturday, February 11, 2006
NEW TERROR WEAPON UNLEASHED
Vandalism or cruelty? Object thrown through window was frozen raccoon
an ABC Action News report 02/08/06
TOWN 'N COUNTRY - Hillsborough sheriff's deputies are investigating a bizarre act of criminal mischief that may also be a sickening act of animal cruelty.
It was 2 a.m. when Lynnette Brooks says she heard a crash at her front window. There, in the middle of the night, in the middle of her living room, she got the shock of her life. (No! Not a drunk Brittney Spears!)
"We saw the raccoon. A frozen raccoon," she recalled.
A vandal had apparently used a dead frozen raccoon as his weapon of choice. What's worse, roommate Gary Hogan said, it was one of the largest he's ever seen.
"It was about that big. About that big around," he said, holding his hands far apart. (Typical guy always exaggeratin' bout the size)
Gary and Lynnette say the hole the frozen critter left in the screen even shows the silhouette of a raccoon -- with legs pointed skyward.
The shape of the raccoon -- with legs pointed upwards -- is visible in the screen.
"I mean, I've done some bad things, but nothing like that," Gary observed. (and Gary that speaks well of you....somehow...I think) "Absurd. Totally absurd. I don't know what kind of mind would come up with something like that," Lynnette added.
The sheriff's office is taking the case very seriously. But they admit they don't have a lot of experience investigating frozen raccoons.
"It's the first time I've ever come across this in over 23 years of service with the sheriff's office," offered Lt. Frank Baker.
Sheriff's deputies say they're working this as a criminal mischief case -- but if they find out the suspect killed the raccoon before freezing it they could charge him or her with felony animal cruelty.
Now, my question is what exactly did this floriduh couple do to drive someone to toss a frozen raccoon thru the window? Inquiring minds want to know. Was it a random frozen racooning? CALL RANGER RICK STAT!
an ABC Action News report 02/08/06
TOWN 'N COUNTRY - Hillsborough sheriff's deputies are investigating a bizarre act of criminal mischief that may also be a sickening act of animal cruelty.
It was 2 a.m. when Lynnette Brooks says she heard a crash at her front window. There, in the middle of the night, in the middle of her living room, she got the shock of her life. (No! Not a drunk Brittney Spears!)
"We saw the raccoon. A frozen raccoon," she recalled.
A vandal had apparently used a dead frozen raccoon as his weapon of choice. What's worse, roommate Gary Hogan said, it was one of the largest he's ever seen.
"It was about that big. About that big around," he said, holding his hands far apart. (Typical guy always exaggeratin' bout the size)
Gary and Lynnette say the hole the frozen critter left in the screen even shows the silhouette of a raccoon -- with legs pointed skyward.
The shape of the raccoon -- with legs pointed upwards -- is visible in the screen.
"I mean, I've done some bad things, but nothing like that," Gary observed. (and Gary that speaks well of you....somehow...I think) "Absurd. Totally absurd. I don't know what kind of mind would come up with something like that," Lynnette added.
The sheriff's office is taking the case very seriously. But they admit they don't have a lot of experience investigating frozen raccoons.
"It's the first time I've ever come across this in over 23 years of service with the sheriff's office," offered Lt. Frank Baker.
Sheriff's deputies say they're working this as a criminal mischief case -- but if they find out the suspect killed the raccoon before freezing it they could charge him or her with felony animal cruelty.
Now, my question is what exactly did this floriduh couple do to drive someone to toss a frozen raccoon thru the window? Inquiring minds want to know. Was it a random frozen racooning? CALL RANGER RICK STAT!
