Hamilton man who was allegedly keeping raccoon as pet facing charges: police
A Hamilton man who was allegedly keeping a raccoon as a pet has been charged. (Hamilton Police)
Hamilton police say a man charged with a number of drug and weapon-related offences was allegedly keeping a raccoon as a pet.
Officers executed a search warrant on a tent in Montgomery Park, in the city’s Bartonville neighbourhood, on the morning of Dec. 20 after allegedly receiving complaints about an individual who was dealing drugs and in possession of a firearm.
When officers entered the tent, police said, they found it was equipped with a generator, TV, and a safe where a quantity of cash and drugs was located.
A raccoon was also found “roaming around” inside the tent and was allegedly being kept as a pet.
The 36-year-old suspect, identified as Hamilton resident Matthew Campbell-Lewis, was arrested nearby and found to be in possession of a switchblade, police said.
He was charged with a number of offences, including possession of fentanyl, hydromorphone, methamphetamine, and ammunition.
Campbell-Lewis is also charged with keeping a prohibited animal in contravention of a city bylaw, police said. Hamilton Animal Services was contacted to take the raccoon.
Earlier this month, Hamilton police revealed that they discovered a network of man-made holes and tunnels during a patrol of an encampment at Gage Park. It's alleged that the tunnels were being used to connect nearby tents to a generator by way of extension cords and other electrical wiring.
READ MORE: Police locate labyrinth of tunnels connecting tents to generator in Hamilton encampment
Law enforcement also recently shut down a drug dealing operation known as “The Shack” near Lincoln and Barton streets.
Shopping Trends
The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.
Toronto Top Stories
-
LIVE UPDATESLIVE UPDATES Parts of Ontario under snowfall warning Monday as holiday travellers hit the road
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Trump again calls to buy Greenland after eyeing Canada and the Panama Canal
First it was Canada, then the Panama Canal. Now, Donald Trump again wants Greenland.
DEVELOPING
DEVELOPING Evacuation order issued for Edmonton building where security guard was killed
An apartment building where a security guard was killed earlier this month is being evacuated.
King Charles ends royal warrants for Ben & Jerry's owner Unilever and Cadbury chocolatiers
King Charles III has ended royal warrants for Cadbury and Unilever, which owns brands including Marmite and Ben & Jerry’s, in a blow to the household names.
LIVE UPDATES
LIVE UPDATES Parts of Ontario under snowfall warning Monday as holiday travellers hit the road
Holiday travellers and commuters could be in for a messy drive on Monday morning as a significant round of snowfall moves into the region. Here are live updates on the situation in Toronto.
U.S. House Ethics report finds evidence Matt Gaetz paid thousands for sex and drugs including paying a 17-year-old for sex in 2017
The U.S. House Ethics Committee found evidence that former Rep. Matt Gaetz paid tens of thousands of dollars to women for sex or drugs on at least 20 occasions, including paying a 17-year-old girl for sex in 2017, according to a final draft of the panel's report on the Florida Republican, obtained by CNN.
A massive, menacing Steller's sea eagle is dazzling birders in a Newfoundland park
A national park in Newfoundland has made the unusual move of opening in the winter so people can catch a glimpse of its rare and menacing new guest.
Blake Lively gets support from 'It Ends With Us' author and 'Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants' co-stars
Blake Lively is getting some high-profile support in the midst of allegations she's made against her 'It Ends With Us' director and co-star, Justin Baldoni.
Dutch discover rare 500-year old wooden shoe
The Dutch are known worldwide for their wooden shoes, but the recent rare discovery of a 500-year-old one in the city of Alkmaar has shown just how widespread their use once was.
Dozens of luxury condos and hotels in Florida are sinking, study finds
Dozens of luxury condos, hotels and other buildings in southeast Florida are sinking at a surprising rate, researchers reported in a recent study.
Montreal
-
Snow on the way as Montreal is put under weather advisory
A weather advisory has been initiated for the Greater Montreal area, with 10 to 15 cm of snow expected to hit the ground.
-
What's open and closed in Montreal during the holidays
Here's a list of what's open and closed for the holidays in Montreal.
-
Two vehicles set on fire in Montreal in suspected arson attacks
Montreal police is investigating after two vehicles were set ablaze in different parts of the city.
Ottawa
-
WINTER TRAVEL ADVISORYWINTER TRAVEL ADVISORY Up to 15 cm of snow in the forecast for Ottawa right before Christmas
A winter weather travel advisory is in effect in Ottawa, calling for up to 15 centimetres of snow right before Christmas.
-
Man handed 5th distracted driving charge for using cellphone on Hwy. 417 in Ottawa
An Ottawa driver was charged for using a cellphone behind the wheel on Sunday, the fifth time he has faced distracted driving charges.
-
What's open and closed in Ottawa over the holidays
CTVNewsOttawa.ca takes a look at what's open and closed over the Christmas and New Year's holidays this year.
Northern Ontario
-
Teen passed out at coffee shop with bottle of booze on the table, northern Ont. police say
A 19-year-old from Blind River is facing several charges following incidents at a coffee shop and in jail.
-
Stolen vehicle investigation ends with sleeping driver and impaired charges
An apparent attempt to steal a vehicle in Thunder Bay, Ont., failed when the impaired driver fell asleep in a parking lot.
-
One injured in the Sault after lithium-ion battery starts house fire
Sault fire officials have determined a lithium-ion battery to be the cause of a house fire that broke out early this morning.
Kitchener
-
Parts of southern Ontario under travel advisory
Anyone planning to travel today is being urged to be prepared as 5 to 15 cm of snow could hit a large portion of southern Ontario.
-
Grand River Transit’s holiday service begins
Grand River Transit (GRT) will operate on a holiday service schedule starting Monday.
-
Must-see moments of 2024: A superstar surprise, roundabout resident and CKCO studios come down
From a WWE surprise for a Guelph superfan, to the recovery of a lost aviation artifact, to a reporter getting the story right from the goose's mouth, here are some of our can’t-miss moments from 2024.
London
-
Anonymous $2 million donation given to St. Joseph’s Health Care
St. Joseph’s Health Care Foundation has received an anonymous $2 million donation from a local community member.
-
91-year-old harness driver victorious at The Raceway in London, Ont.
A 91-year-old harness driver raced his way to victory on Friday night with his horse, Willy Strike.
-
Statistics Canada reports real GDP grew 0.3 per cent in October
Statistics Canada says the economy grew 0.3 per cent in October, helped by strength in the mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction sector, following a 0.2 per cent increase in September.
Windsor
-
City of Windsor reviewing other H4 properties, no longer pursuing Wellington Avenue
The City of Windsor has announced it is no longer pursuing land at 700 Wellington Avenue and is looking at other properties for the new Homelessness and Housing Help Hub (H4).
-
Local hospitals reintroduce emergency department wait time clocks
Erie Shores HealthCare and Windsor Regional Hospital have reintroduced their emergency department wait time clocks to give patients real-time information.
-
Crime rates down in Glengarry: WPS
The Windsor Police Service has reported a fall in violent crimes in Glengarry.
Barrie
-
Weather warnings and advisories issued for the region
If you’re dreaming of a white Christmas, you might just be in luck.
-
Firearms seized after 'violent threats' made against secondary school: YRP
Police say officers found several firearms during a search at a teen’s home after he allegedly made violent threats against a secondary school.
-
Single-vehicle crash in Springwater Twp.
One woman was taken to the hospital following a single-vehicle crash in Springwater Township.
Winnipeg
-
Manitoba government to make permanent cut to gas tax
Manitobans can expect to see a permanent change at the gas pump as early as next week
-
Manitoba's promised plastic health cards pushed to January: premier
The Manitoba government's plan to replace paper health cards with more durable and modern plastic ones is running a bit behind schedule.
-
Dense fog blanketing parts of Manitoba on Monday
A dense fog is blanketing much of the Prairies, including Manitoba, on Monday morning.
Atlantic
-
Province names 2024 Order of Nova Scotia recipients
Nova Scotia has named the five individuals who will receive the province’s highest honour for 2024.
-
Nova Scotia RCMP investigating structure fire on South Shore
Queens District RCMP is investigating a fire that destroyed a home in Pleasantville, N.S., Sunday.
-
Police charge man with stunting in Halifax
Halifax Regional Police (HRP) charged a driver with stunting Monday morning, according to a news release.
N.L.
-
A massive, menacing Steller's sea eagle is dazzling birders in a Newfoundland park
A national park in Newfoundland has made the unusual move of opening in the winter so people can catch a glimpse of its rare and menacing new guest.
-
Newfoundland woman washed sick patients' hair every Saturday for more than 20 years
A retired nurse and teacher in Newfoundland was honoured this week for her volunteer work, which included more than two decades washing the hair of bedridden hospital patients.
-
Newfoundland man facing more charges related to youth sex crimes
A 64-year-old Newfoundland man charged with dozens of sex crimes involving young people is facing several new charges.
Edmonton
-
DEVELOPINGDEVELOPING Evacuation order issued for Edmonton building where security guard was killed
An apartment building where a security guard was killed earlier this month is being evacuated.
-
City of Edmonton to lift Phase 1 parking ban Monday evening
The City of Edmonton will lift the Phase 1 parking ban on Monday at 5 p.m.
-
2 Alberta men charged with sex crimes involving children in separate investigations
Two registered sex offenders are facing charges after separate investigations in northern Alberta.
Calgary
-
Serious crash closes part of Highway 1 near Bassano, Alta.
RCMP responded to a serious crash on Highway 1 near Bassano, Alta., on Monday morning. The collision occurred approximately two kilometres east of Highway 56.
-
2 Alberta men charged with sex crimes involving children in separate investigations
Two registered sex offenders are facing charges after separate investigations in northern Alberta.
-
Crews respond to blaze at Calgary pizzeria
The Calgary Fire Department put out a fire at a northeast business Monday morning.
Regina
-
Heavy fog descends over Regina, most of Saskatchewan
Dense fog is being reported across much of the province to begin the week of Christmas, according to Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC).
-
Regina police asking for public's help in assault investigation
The Regina Police Service (RPS) is asking the public for help finding a suspect connected to an assault with a weapon over the weekend.
-
'Lots to learn': Regina's new mayor embracing role with budget debate right around the corner
Regina's recently elected Mayor Chad Bachynski has been embracing the learning curve that comes with the role and is looking ahead to the new year, which will include finalizing the city's budget.
Saskatoon
-
'There are lines': In year-end interview, NDP leader says Moe went too far in election campaign
Saskatchewan’s two main political leaders had agreed before October's provincial election not to target the families of candidates during the campaign, says Opposition NDP Leader Carla Beck.
-
Saskatoon woman arrested following machete attack
A 55-year-old woman was arrested following a stabbing with a machete early Monday morning.
-
Heavy fog hits Saskatoon, creating slippery roadways
Saskatoon is under a fog advisory on Monday, creating slippery conditions for commuters and last-minute Christmas shoppers.
Vancouver
-
Over $20K worth of stolen search and rescue gear found in Squamish
More than $20,000 worth of search and rescue equipment stolen from BC Parks has been recovered, say the Sea-To-Sky RCMP.
-
Several storms in store for B.C.’s south coast over Christmas
A series of storms are expected to bring heavy winds and wet weather to B.C’s south coast over the festive period.
-
Second body recovered from site of B.C. landslide
The second resident of a home that was destroyed by a landslide in Lions Bay, B.C., last weekend was found dead Saturday, officials confirmed.
Vancouver Island
-
More strong winds hit parts of B.C.'s coast as record-high temperatures recorded
What has been a windy weekend for parts of B.C.’s coast continued Sunday as Environment Canada issued a fresh set of wind warnings.
-
Drug superlabs leave a toxic mess. Some say B.C.'s cleanup rules are a mess, too
As clandestine drug labs become larger and more complex, so does the toxic mess they leave behind and the tools required to clean them up, creating expensive and dangerous situations for both people and the environment.
-
Second body recovered from site of B.C. landslide
The second resident of a home that was destroyed by a landslide in Lions Bay, B.C., last weekend was found dead Saturday, officials confirmed.
