Justice · Pepper seizure disputeMontreal raccoon seizure: Pepper gets rabies vaccination as owner seeks sanctuaryAired October 28, 2026 at 1:27 PM UTCWritten October 28, 2026 at 1:40 PM UTCRead the write-upThis storyTranscript · LOADING0:07Luca Berman took Pepper for a rabies vaccination while authorities sought to seize0:11the raccoon.0:11Keeping a raccoon as a pet is illegal in Quebec, where officials are confronting0:15raccoon rabies.0:17Berman says officers came to his apartment with a warrant for Pepper.0:20Whether he can secure a lawful home for the animal is still unresolved.0:23Berman lives in Montreal and wants to keep Pepper with him.0:26He's also raising money for a wildlife sanctuary in the city.0:29His plan runs into provincial rules that tightly control who can keep wild animals.0:33Berman says three wildlife officers arrived at his apartment with a warrant to seize0:36Pepper.0:37He places their arrival in early October.0:39Though the visit's timing ranges from late September to early October, the exact day0:43is unclear.0:44He describes himself as being on the run from provincial authorities.0:48Berman and Pepper were together outside Saint Damien on October26 th.0:52By October27 , no seizure had been confirmed.0:55Tea here is no confirmed October20, eighth update on where Pepper is or whether0:59officers have taken the animal.1:01Berman also says an officer told him he'd be fined for obstruction.1:05An issued fine or a specific filed charge hasn't been confirmed.1:08The warrant he describes concerns taking pepper, and tea here is no confirmed arrest1:12warrant for Berman.1:13Quebec requires people to obtain any necessary captivity permit before keeping the1:18animal.1:18Its wildlife guidance specifically includes raccoons among animals that can't simply1:22be kept in captivity.1:23Authorized rehabilitation comes with strict conditions protecting wildlife, public1:27safety, and animal welfare.1:29Pepper's vaccination visit doesn't give Berman permission to keep the raccoon.1:33It also can't tell us whether Pepper is free of rabies.1:35Nothing indicates that Pepper has the disease, but a vaccination visit alone doesn't1:39provide a negative test result.1:41The province's wildlife vaccination campaign addresses a much wider public health1:45problem.1:46Quebec included nine parks in the Montreal area in its preventive wildlife1:49vaccination plans.1:50Officials also targeted Estrie Mont, RG, and Center due to PIPEC.1:54Those prevention areas don't show where infections have been confirmed, and they1:58don't establish a rabies case in Montreal.2:00The province announced more than eight hundred and fifteen thousand vaccine baits2:03across nearly fifty, five hundred square kilometers.2:06Distribution was scheduled from August third through September13.2:10Those figures describe the announced operation, rather than a completed count of2:13baits delivered.2:14The campaign followed an expansion of surveillance earlier in the year.2:17Quebec added thirty-four municipalities to enhance surveillance in June in Mont2:22Ergay and Centre du Quebec after the summer bait distribution window.2:26Officials scheduled another trapping, and vaccination operation for October2:30thirteenth through twenty third.2:32Surveillance coverage itself doesn't mean an animal there has tested positive.2:36Quebec also prohibits moving or relocating live raccoons in listed municipalities in2:41Esther Mont Ergyan Centre du Quebec.2:43Additions took effect October7 th, with the restrictions lasting until December6,2:48subject to extension.2:49The rules also prohibit rehabilitating illegally transported animals.2:52A sanctuary proposal therefore has to address both possession permits and any2:56applicable transport controls.2:58The fundraiser displayed three thousand two hundred and ninety six Canadian dollars3:02toward an eighteen thousand dollar goal from twenty-five donations.3:04The page's display date is unknown, and the figures aren't audited.3:08So they shouldn't be treated as an October twenty eighth balance.3:11Nikki Kakavond organized the campaign for Luca Berman under the name Help Save3:15Pepper and Build a Wildlife Sanctuary.3:17Berman wants that sanctuary in Montreal.3:19A license destination for Pepper hasn't been confirmed.3:21Whether officers take the raccoon or Berman secures an authorized arrangement is3:26still unresolved.3:26The money and vaccination don't settle that decision.3:29After a bite or saliva exposure, Quebec advises washing the wound with soap and3:33water for ten to fifteen minutes.3:34Then contact Infosant81 1 without delay.3:39Prompt vaccination after exposure can prevent rabies.3:41If a pet is bitten or exposed to a wild animal's saliva, consult a veterinarian3:46quickly.Explore with HeyDexFollow via RSS
