Kids Find Racoon in Leghold Trap

Summary:

MECKLENBURG COUNTY, NC – Children out enjoying a Mecklenburg County park on Thursday stumbled onto a grim scene: a raccoon with both front legs clamped in a leg, or foothold, trap. They ran to get their parents, who contacted animal control. The animal was rushed to a local wildlife rehabilitation group, where staff say he is fighting to recover after suffering heat stroke and severe stress. The discovery also prompted officers to search nearby property for any other traps in the area, which they located.

North Carolina Wildlife Rehab reported that the raccoon arrived at their facility with both front legs locked in the device and a body temperature of 105.4 degrees Fahrenheit, and staff immediately began treating him for heat stroke, according to WBTV. “This is absurd, infuriating, and heartbreaking,” a rehab spokesperson wrote in the post the outlet published. Rehab workers said the animal’s legs were not broken, but he remained under close observation as his condition stabilized. The outlet also reported that this was the second animal recently discovered caught in a leg trap at Mecklenburg County parks.

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