Murray, Kentucky Man Unleashes Raccoon in a Bar Revenge Plot

It is an eventful summer in Murray, Kentucky, and not just because the Racers played in their first-ever College World Series.

Earlier this month, officers responded to a disturbance at The Big Apple Bar and Grille just after 9 PM on a Friday night. The person of interest was Jonathan Mason, who allegedly released a raccoon in the business. Why would someone bring a raccoon into a bar? Mary Hafner, a bartender who was at the scene, shared the story with The New York Post.

“I’m a bartender, so you know I’ve seen some crazy stuff in my time. But nothing like this,” said Hafner.

According to Hafner, Mason had already been indulging when he arrived at the establishment on Friday night. He had also been banned previously for a drunken mule incident. If you recall, in December, a Murray man was involved in a police chase on a mule. It happened after he was asked to leave the same bar.

Here’s something you don't see often: a man riding a mule in a police chase in downtown Murray, Kentucky https://t.co/B76r0BgmD8 pic.twitter.com/M5z166zNe5

— Drew Franklin (@DrewFranklinKSR) December 10, 2024

Mason had a different defiant idea this time. Hafner asked him to leave. Initially, he appeared to comply. That was only for a brief moment. He returned moments later, armed with a raccoon.

“Apparently he had trapped a raccoon earlier in the day on his farm and he had been carrying it around with him,” said Hafner.

One employee tried to pick up the scared animal by its tail and was bitten. Hafner eventually safely corralled the raccoon.

Mason left the scene, but was quickly stopped by police officers. According to police, he refused to lower his window or exit the vehicle, so he was forcibly removed. Mason was arrested and charged with Assault 2nd Degree, Criminal Trespassing 3rd Degree, Resisting Arrest, and Failure of Owner to Maintain Required Insurance 1st Offense.

The raccoon was safely released back into the wild, hopefully after he got to enjoy a cocktail for his trouble.

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