Kentucky Man Arrested After Releasing Raccoon in Bar
MURRAY, KY — In an unusual twist of revenge, a local man allegedly released a raccoon inside The Big Apple Grill and Bar after being denied entry on Friday evening. Jonathan Mason, 40, known to locals as “Cowboy Cody,” now faces multiple charges including third-degree criminal trespass and second-degree assault.
Incident Details
Witnesses reported that Mason, who had been drinking prior to the incident, had previously been banned from the bar. According to Mary Hafner, a bartender at The Big Apple, Mason approached her before the raccoon was unleashed. “At first I thought I had diffused the situation,” she recounted. However, moments later, Mason returned carrying the frightened animal, which caused alarm among patrons.
Hafner noted, “The raccoon was more scared than anything,” but chaos ensued when a fellow employee attempted to grab the raccoon by its tail, resulting in the animal biting him and necessitating rabies shots.
Previous Offenses
This incident is not Mason’s first run-in with the law concerning animals. In December 2022, he was arrested after leading police on a high-speed chase while riding a mule. Reports indicate that he had been drinking and was previously caught beating the animal with a whip in the parking lot.
Mason’s recent arrest adds to his troubled history. After releasing the raccoon, he allegedly refused to comply with police directives, including rolling down his windows when officers attempted to question him.
Legal Repercussions
Mason was eventually apprehended and taken to the Calloway County Jail. Police have charged him with multiple offenses, including:
- Third-degree criminal trespass
- Second-degree assault
- Resisting arrest
- Failure to maintain insurance
As the investigation unfolds, local residents remain stunned by the bizarre nature of Mason’s actions. Hafner expressed disbelief, stating, “I’ve seen some crazy stuff in my time, but nothing like this.”
Mason’s motivations and further repercussions from the incident remain to be seen as local authorities continue their investigation.
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