Andrew Chieu of Quincy charged with animal cruelty after allegedly lighting raccoon on fire
QUINCY – Police arrested Andrew Chieu of Quincy on an animal cruelty charge after he allegedly lit a raccoon on fire.
It happened Saturday on Royal Street in Quincy.
Responding officers found two neighbors arguing.
Police said a raccoon was found trapped in a cage. The animal appeared to have burn injuries.
Video of the incident allegedly showed Chieu building a fire in a tin can, then placing the trap and racoon on top of it while the flames grew.
Chieu was charged with cruelty to animals. He was arraigned on Tuesday in Quincy District Court.
New England Wildlife Center said the raccoon is alive but in critical condition. He is being treated for serious burns on his stomach, back and paws.
"I'm guessing that these burns are probably 30% of the body," said Dr. Greg Mertz of the New England Wildlife Center. "So we are kind of limited on what we can do. So, it's anti-inflammatories, anti-pain, antibiotics, and once in a while we will do a full exam on him again and we'll apply the ointments."
Rescuers say it will take up to five months for the raccoon to fully recover.