Carpenter Fired After Releasing Racoon Caught At Job Site

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - A carpenter who removed and then released a trapped raccoon that was on a San Francisco job site was fired for his actions.

Todd Sutton tells the San Francisco Chronicle that he came to work one morning in late February and saw the animal inside a meal trap.

The raccoon had reportedly been causing trouble so the builders hired professional trappers to have it removed and euthanized.

But the 49-year-old carpenter instead says he uncaged the animal in his truck while he waited for guidance from animal control on what to do.

Later, a superintendent called and fired him for the move.

A spokesman with the project's general contractor says the situation was a bit more complicated, the newspaper reported.

Sutton has hired an attorney.

In:
• San Francisco