TORONTO - The Crown is pursuing lighter charges than it could potentially seek against a Toronto man who allegedly beat a family of raccoons in his backyard.
Dong Nguyen faces charges of animal cruelty and possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose in connection with an alleged attack on the raccoons in the garden of his west-end home last month.
Crown lawyers told court today they are choosing to move forward with the charges as summary offences rather than indictable charges.
Indictable offences would allow for greater punishment, including a maximum sentence of up to 10 years for the weapon charge.
Nguyen, 53, could serve a sentence of no more than two years if convicted of animal cruelty.
His next court date is set for Aug. 18. Nguyen did not appear in court today.
Police were called early on the morning of June 1 after neighbours awoke to the sounds of a man allegedly attacking a family of raccoons with a shovel.
Animal services says one baby raccoon suffered some broken toes and was taken to a wildlife rehabilitation centre to recover.
Police don't know what happened to the other babies because the mother raccoon took them away.
