Racoon reunited: runaway pet is back with his owner
Published: October 30, 2006
A mystery racoon, caught running wild in Northern Ireland, has been reunited with his owner - thanks to the Belfast Telegraph.
However, it has emerged that the man’s second pet racoon, which also disappeared, is still missing.
Bandit the racoon was discovered up a tree on the outskirts of Antrim town - around 25 miles away from his home on the shores of Lough Neagh.
When the adventurous north American native was first spotted by a bewildered resident in the Parkhall area it was feared he may have been abandoned ahead of new regulations on the keeping of wild animals.
However, after his plight was highlighted by the Belfast Telegraph his owner, Chris Pedro, immediately contacted the USPCA to say he had been searching for Bandit and another pet racoon for several days after the pair went missing from his home outside Lurgan.
Mr Pedro was reunited with his mischievous pet at the weekend but the hunt continues for Bandit’s sibling who is still missing.
“Bandit’s owner saw the article in the Belfast Telegraph and rang the USPCA to say he had lost his racoon. He was reunited with his pet on Friday. He was very pleased to get his pet back but he is still missing another racoon,” said Stephen Philpott, director of the USPCA.
The riddle of how Bandit managed to travel such a distance from home has still not been completely solved, however his owner believes he may have stowed away in a lorry.
“Bandit’s owner is in the haulage business and he thinks he may have climbed underneath a lorry. It is very unusual that the racoon travelled such a long distance,” said Mr Philpott.
Bandit was caught by the organisation Wildlife NI after reported sightings on the roofs of houses in the Parkhall area of Antrim.
Local woman Helen Cathcart said: “Our dog started barking up at the side of the house. I looked up and saw a racoon looking down at me. I went in and told my husband. I think he thought I had gone mad.
“I phoned the police to check if any racoons had gone missing from Belfast Zoo, but the zoo doesn’t even keep racoons.
“Police said it was probably a badger, but I told them I know the difference between a badger and a racoon.”
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