$5K Reward Offered After Raccoon Was Set On Fire In Union County

PLAINFIELD, NJ — The Humane Society of the United States is offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information in connection with the death of a raccoon that was trapped in a cage and deliberately set on fire on July 4 in Union County.

The reward is for information leading to the identification, arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the "recent cruel and thoughtless torture and killing of a raccoon," the humane society said.

This is in addition to other cash rewards currently being offered in this case including $500 by Traveling 4 Paws Rescue.

• See Related: Trapped Raccoon Set On Fire In Union County: Prosecutor

Plainfield Police found the dead raccoon in a cage at 429 John St. just before 6:30 a.m. on July 4, according to Union County Assistant Prosecutor Patricia Cronin, who heads the humane animal treatment subsection of the Prosecutor's Office's Special Prosecutions Unit.

Two more cages with live raccoons inside were found outside the home, both were unharmed, according to the report.

The raccoons had been trapped by a contracted pest control company last month at the home, an investigation found.

An accelerant is believed to have been used to set the trapped raccoon on fire, although what specific type of substance was used remains under investigation, authorities said.

Anyone with information about this matter or the identity of the person or persons responsible is being urged to contact Plainfield Police Lt. Edward Hafekin at 908-753-3131 or Prosecutor's Office Sgt. Vito Colacitti at 908-527-4670.

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