Quebec raccoon rabies outbreak and pet raccoon controversy

In Quebec, a raccoon rabies outbreak has led to legal and welfare concerns regarding the keeping of wildlife as pets. Louka Berman, a Montreal resident known for his pet raccoon, Pepper, has been evading provincial environmental enforcement officers who hold a warrant to seize the animal. Berman recently attempted to have the raccoon vaccinated at a refuge north of Montreal.

Amidst these legal challenges, Berman has reportedly earned over $110,000 in transaction fees from ‘Pepper’, an obscure cryptocurrency named after his pet. The coin was launched on October 10 by an online trader using the pseudonym ‘Hiruzen’. Berman stated he entered a partnership to collect creator rewards and intends to use the remaining funds to establish an animal sanctuary, a project estimated to cost $400,000.

The Ottawa Humane Society has issued warnings regarding the illegality and welfare risks of keeping wildlife, noting that captive animals often face significant physical and psychological risks and may require euthanasia if they cannot be rehabilitated.