Massachusetts man sentenced to jail for setting fire to caged raccoon; animal succumbed to injuries

A Quincy man pleaded guilty to animal cruelty as result of an incident in which he put a caged raccoon on top of a burning fire, Norfolk District Attorney Michael Morrissey announced today.

Andrew Chieu, 64, was sentenced in Norfolk Superior Court by Judge Michael Doolin to six months in jail followed by two years’ probation after pleading guilty Monday.

“A neighbor briefly videotaped parts of the December 30, 2023 incident before confronting the defendant and calling police,” Morrissey said.

“The video showed the defendant stoking a fire in a can with newspapers and repeatedly placing the raccoon, which was trapped in a cage, on top of the fire,” Morrissey said.

The raccoon sustained severe burns and was taken by Quincy Animal Control to the Weymouth VCA and then to New England Wildlife Center in Weymouth. The raccoon was treated by veterinarians but, despite their round-the-clock efforts, succumbed to her injuries about two weeks later, Morrissey said.

In a statement, Katrina Bergman, president of the New England Wildlife Centers, said, “Mr. Chieu committed a heinous crime that led to a raccoon’s tremendous suffering. Today, District Attorney Michael Morrissey and his committed and talented staff sent a large message. People who harm animals will be held accountable.”

Dr. Priya Patel, New England Wildlife Center medical director, said, “We provided evidence and witness testimony to aid in the conviction and we want to thank Quincy Police Department and the Norfolk District Attorney’s office for pursuing this case and ensuring this type of cruelty does not go unaddressed in our community.”

Dr. Martha Smith-Blackmore, a forensic veterinarian with Forensic Veterinary Investigations LLC, performed the necropsy. In her impact statement filed with the court, the veterinarian explained the raccoon suffered extreme pain from her initial capture to her ultimate death due to injuries inflicted from this torturous event.

“We must also maintain the understanding that the torture of this raccoon caused vicarious trauma in witnesses, first responders, caregivers, and the veterinarians who performed her postmortem exam. The pain delivered to an individual radiates and affects society,” Dr. Smith-Blackmore said.

While on probation, Chieu is prohibited from possessing any animals.

The incident was investigated by Quincy Police and was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Tracey Cusick and Courtney Kiernan.