New York — A New York police officer who shot a raccoon that aggressively charged toward people has been placed on modified duty while the matter is reviewed.
The shooting happened around 7:45 a.m. Thursday in Rockaway Beach, shortly after someone called 911 to report a ferocious animal, a police department spokesperson said in an email statement Monday.
Officers were trying to get the raccoon out of the driveway to a safe place when the animal suddenly lunged. An officer fired his weapon, hitting the animal. Police said no one was injured.
The officer’s name was not revealed. The department’s Force Investigations Section, which reviews incidents in which an officer discharges a weapon, is leading the department’s investigation.
It was unclear Monday whether officials planned to test the raccoon for rabies.