7 News Belize

Caught With ‘Coons, Man Must Pay The Price For Pestilential Pets
posted (November 8, 2017)
Raccoons - for most of us they're pests of the highest order, turning over your garbage, and being quite nasty and vicious in the process.

But for Jacob Cabral of Caye Caulker - three baby raccoons were just lovable pets - not pests - and additionally, he would use them to attract tourists.

Well the Forestry Department said that was "Unlawful Possession of Forest Produce" and he was fined $2,000 dollars in San Pedro Magistrate's Court.

The Forest Department visited Cabral's business on Caye Caulker in August and found him with the five week old raccoons - which he uses for wildlife tourism.

The raccoons were confiscated and taken to the Belize Wildlife Referral Clinic for rehabilitation with the hope that they will eventually be returned to the wild. v A release quotes Forest Department Officer, Minerva Gonzalez, as saying that while raccoons may look adorable, they are wild animals and should not be treated as pets. She added that even "tamed" raccoons are extremely high maintenance, unpredictable, destructive, and are notorious biters. Most importantly, raccoons pose a major health risk to people and other pets. They are known carriers of parasites and infectious diseases, including rabies. Their natural instinct is to bite when they're angry, frustrated, or stressed." Consequently, Gonzalez advised that for the sake of human safety and protection, residents should immediately report any possession or illegal captivity of wild animals to the Forest Department.

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