Florida man, 88, burns raccoon alive over eating mangoes, police say
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Police arrested an 88-year-old Florida man for burning a trapped raccoon alive because the animal had eaten his mangoes.
Ezra James, who lives in Palm Bay, told WKMG that he threw gasoline on the raccoon and lit a match.
Besides the mangoes, James said he was afraid the raccoon might give him rabies.
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A neighbor called 911 as the raccoon burned alive in a metal trap.
Law enforcement officers shot the raccoon to ease its suffering.
Authorities say nuisance animals can be trapped and either released or humanely euthanized.
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James says he was released from jail after posting $2,000 bail on a charge of animal cruelty resulting in death.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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