Carpenter Fired After Releasing Trapped Raccoon

A carpenter who removed and then released a trapped raccoon that was on a San Francisco job site was fired for his actions.

Todd Sutton said that he came to work one morning in late February and saw the animal inside a meal trap.

The raccoon had reportedly been causing trouble so the builders hired professional trappers to have it removed and euthanized. But the 49-year-old carpenter instead said he uncaged the animal in his truck while he waited for guidance from animal control on what to do.

"It was a cute little raccoon, it was a baby trapped in a cage," Sutton said. "Why you going to kill an animal for no reason?"

Before Sutton could release the animal, he said the higher-ups found out what he was up to and fired him on the spot. Sutton was still able to release the raccoon nearby along the Embarcadero.

Sutton has hired Steve Jaffe as his attorney. Jaffe admits there is not a large field of "raccoon law," but there is the First Amendment.

"When someone makes a personal moral statement and while doing so so hurts no one, I do think that is a protected act," Jaffe said.

Sutton is working for another company now, but for less money.

Jaffe said the lawsuit may also include attorney fees, emotional distress and possibly punitive damages.

Calls seeking comment from Meiswinkel Construction for this story was not returned Monday.

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