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Montreal Man Faces Charges After Rescuing Baby Raccoon 'Pepper'
Louka Berman nursed an injured baby raccoon back to health after she was shot with a crossbow; now Quebec's Environment Ministry accuses him of keeping her at home, and he is fighting an obstruction charge in court.
Why it matters
A heartwarming rescue has turned into a legal fight: in Quebec, a licence is required to keep a raccoon at home. Berman insists Pepper does not live with him — and fears wildlife authorities could euthanize the animal he saved.
Full report
Montreal man Louka Berman found seven-month-old Pepper, an injured baby raccoon, at a construction site in May. She and her mother had been shot with a crossbow; whoever did it thought both were dead.
Berman nursed Pepper back to health with the intention of releasing her, but the raccoon bonded to him. Release attempts failed — Pepper stays in the wooded area where he leaves her and waits for him to come back. "She's attached to me," Berman said with a laugh. "And I'm attached to her too."
After videos of the pair went viral, Quebec's Environment Ministry came looking for the raccoon, accusing Berman of keeping the animal in his home. He denies it, saying he has been hiding her in parks.
Berman now faces an obstruction charge in addition to a summons from authorities. He plans to fight the charges in court.
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