Police say they received several calls just before 8 a.m. reporting a small tiger or similar animal in the street near West 162nd Street and St. Nicholas Avenue in Washington Heights.
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ESU responded to the scene, and officers were able to safely catch what turned out to be a large raccoon.
It was taken in a cage to a nearby shelter.
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There were no injuries reported.
Animal Care Centers of NY, which took custody of the raccoon from the NYPD, later released the following statement:
"The raccoon was brought into our facility and was euthanized as required by law for all vector species animals brought into the shelter. Raccoons, bats and skunks are classified as a rabies vector species (RVS), which means it's an animal that can carry and transmit rabies. Technically, any mammal can do so, but raccoons are a higher risk. Thus, the animal is subject to certain laws by state."
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