A Montreal man who states he is evading provincial enforcement officers over the housing of a pet raccoon has brought the animal in for a rabies vaccination. Louka Berman traveled with the raccoon, named Pepper, to meet a refuge owner north of Montreal on Monday.
The animal gained online attention in September after Berman shared a video of himself cycling with Pepper on his back. Berman reports that provincial environmental enforcement officers previously visited his residence with a warrant to seize the raccoon, though they have not yet captured it. The provincial environment ministry did not immediately respond to inquiries regarding the situation.
Quebec is currently managing an outbreak of raccoon rabies, though the illness has not yet spread to Montreal. Berman added that he has raised thousands of dollars through online fundraising since sharing videos of Pepper, with plans to use the funds to establish an urban wildlife sanctuary.
