DERBY, Conn. (WTNH) — A raccoon was removed from a restaurant in Derby last month, according to the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.
Following an anonymous complaint, officers from DEEP’s Environmental Conservation Police removed a raccoon that was allegedly being kept illegally at Bartone’s Apizza in Derby.
NewsNation local affiliate WTNH spoke to two of the restaurant’s family owners- Sheryl Bartone and her son Richard Bartone. They said Sheryl had found the raccoon when it was a baby and she was concerned about its safety due to a dog in the area.
“I just didn’t want her to die … that’s all,” an emotional Sheryl Bartone said. “I didn’t want to be on the news, I didn’t want to hurt anybody.”
So she took in the animal- making it an outside habitat under the restaurant’s stairs. They named it Lilah.
“This was never meant to hurt anybody, (Sheryl) was trying to be a good person, she is very hurt by this,” Richard Bartone said. “This is my mother, and I’m proud of her.”
He called his mother a “modern-day Snow White,” with a passion for taking care of animals.
While the family is struggling with the hurt of public comments, Richard Bartone said they don’t feel sorry for trying to help the animal.
The Bartones said they passed their most recent health department visit, but did not say when that was. They claim the raccoon was never brought inside the restaurant at anytime.
DEEP, the Department of Public Health and Department of Agriculture are evaluating the next steps.
Sheryl Bartone said when the raccoon was seized, she was told it would be rehabilitated.
Residents are reminded that keeping raccoons or other wildlife is illegal, according to DEEP. Officials advise residents to contact local animal control or a licensed wildlife rehabilitator if they encounter animals that appear sick, orphaned or injured.
More information about raccoons can be found on DEEP’s website.