Dead raccoon gets a sarcastic candlelit vigil complete with flowers, cards and a CIGARETTE after council workers ignored it for 12 hours
- Workers spotted the dead animal on a sidewalk in Toronto on Thursday
- A passer-by alerted Animal Services, but they were not in a hurry
- As a result, some people started to have fun with the animal's remains
- It began with flowers and a framed picture, but ended in a candlelit vigil
- The raccoon quickly went viral on social media, prompting users to post their own tributes
When a dead raccoon was spotted on a Toronto sidewalk, city officials were simply expected to remove it.
But as the animal's remains lay on the streets, without the authorities taking the appropriate action, passers-by started to mourn its passing.
It started just after 9:00am on Thursday when a worker alerted city workers to its presence with a picture on Twitter.
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@311Toronto There’s a dead raccoon on the sidewalk outside 819 Yonge (at the SE corner of Church).
— Jason Wagar (@jasonwagar) July 9, 2015
@jasonwagar Thank you for letting us know. This was reported a short while ago and Animal Services has been notified. ^de
— 311 Toronto (@311Toronto) July 9, 2015
The 311 account said Animal Services had been notified, but they weren't coming in a hurry.
The gestures began with someone leaving a note next to the remains which read: 'Rest dear raccoon. Help is on the way from the city.'
Then, six hours later, another person added flowers, a condolences card and a framed picture of a raccoon.
City Counciller Norm Kelly took a picture of the animal and urged staff to pick it up as people were 'having fun with it'.
Almost two hours later, the raccoon was still there. Someone then wrote #deadraccoonto on a piece of paper, and a social media campaign was born
@311Toronto It’s now after 3 pm and I guess Animal Services hasn’t been by, because someone’s having some fun now: pic.twitter.com/ff0ybbm5cX
— Jason Wagar (@jasonwagar) July 9, 2015
Don't quite know what to say about this sidewalk discovery except that it really brought ppl together. #deadraccoonto pic.twitter.com/BJ7efipLvq
— Shauna Pollock (@misspollock) July 9, 2015
sleep well my sweet prince, people loved you and remember you #deadraccoonto pic.twitter.com/G7erlbktnx
— Chris Hahn (@heyhahn) July 9, 2015
Raccoon memorial sighting @ the corner of Yonge n Church. #DeadRaccoonTO pic.twitter.com/Usq7dkSzKS
— D C (@ladydi1116) July 9, 2015
. @steviepeters Candles! A vigil! #DeadRaccoonTO pic.twitter.com/eEr54v34wr
— Gavin Graham (@gavingraham) July 10, 2015
Someone has just dropped off a religious Jesus candle beside the raccoon. #DeadRaccoonTO pic.twitter.com/fCD794YEV8
— Kris Pangilinan (@KrisReports) July 10, 2015
The card that was left beside the dead raccoon. #DeadRaccoonTO pic.twitter.com/mt5A2mzi0i
— Kris Pangilinan (@KrisReports) July 10, 2015
A Sharpie pen was placed on the ground so people could write their own tributes as they walked by while the bouquets of flowers continued to pile up.
Disturbingly, one person even rolled up a cigarette and placed it in the animal's right paw.
The original poster, Jason Wagner, alerted animal services for the second time, 12 hours after spotting it.
As night fell, a candlelit vigil was set up for the raccoon.
But, a short time later, Animal Services finally arrived to pick the critter up in a black bin liner.
It ended what had become a viral sensation on social media.
By the end of Thursday, Twitter users were coming up with their own t-shirt designs to remember the raccoon, while others said the stunt was disrespectful.
One user however avoided judgement, instead saying it was fantastic the city had been brought together.
BREAKING: City of Toronto has arrived to remove the dead raccoon. #DeadRaccoonTO pic.twitter.com/uX3RVDSGxI
— Kris Pangilinan (@KrisReports) July 10, 2015
One last candle for our little buddy Conrad. #DeadRaccoonTO pic.twitter.com/hBmcM9yT5I
— Kris Pangilinan (@KrisReports) July 10, 2015
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