Police: Florida man, 88, burns raccoon over eating mangoes

Florida man, 88, burns raccoon alive because it was eating his mangoes

An 88-year-old Florida man was arrested after police said he burned a trapped raccoon alive because the animal had eaten his mangoes.

Ezra James told WKMG-TV in a story Saturday that last Thursday threw gasoline on the raccoon and lit a match.  

In addition to the mangoes, James says he was afraid the raccoon might bite him and give him rabies. 

James lives in the coastal town of Palm Bay, located about 75 miles southeast of Orlando.

He's seen here in his booking photo

Ezra James trapped a raccoon, poured gasoline on it and lit a match after catching it eating his mangoes. He said he was afraid of rabies and didn’t want to get bitten. He’s seen at right in his booking photo

Authorities say nuisance animals can be trapped and either released or humanely euthanized and shouldn't be trapped and burned. (Stock image)

Authorities say nuisance animals can be trapped and either released or humanely euthanized and shouldn’t be trapped and burned. (Stock image)

A neighbor called 911 as the raccoon burned alive in a metal trap. 

James called the neighbor a ‘wicked woman’ for making the call. 

Police officers shot the raccoon to ease its suffering. The raccoon was still alive when they arrived, completely burned, with the skin was pulled back from the feet from the burns.

Authorities say nuisance animals can be trapped and either released or humanely euthanized.

James, who is originally from Jamaica, says he was released from jail after posting $2,000 bail on a charge of animal cruelty resulting in death.

He says he will not do it again. 

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