Saskatoon couple discovers they're outlaws because of their pet raccoon, Dennis
Like many pet owners, Wendy Hook feels a lot like her pet's mom. And her "baby" is a raccoon named Dennis. She and her husband, Ron, have been caring for Dennis since he was an orphaned newborn. And now she has discovered that it's illegal to keep him in her home in Saskatoon....
Like many pet owners, Wendy Hook feels a lot like her pet's mom. And her "baby" is a raccoon named Dennis. She and her husband, Ron, have been caring for Dennis since he was an orphaned newborn. And now she has discovered that it's illegal to keep him in her home in Saskatoon.
Hook calls Dennis "the sweetest fur baby she's ever had." She tells Carol, "I don't have small children. I kind of like to laugh and say he's my solution to empty-nest syndrome."
She says Dennis is not your stereotypical wild animal.
"I do not have a domesticated raccoon," she says. "But I do have a relatively tame raccoon. He has the full run of our house. He sleeps with us in our bed at night. He is litter-box trained."
Dennis the raccoon (Photo: Echo Neepin)
She says she's very careful about who Dennis is around because he has sharp claws and teeth, but he's never exhibited any behaviour that's led her to worry that he might be aggressive.
Hook found out that Dennis was illegal in Saskatoon when she went to get a license for him to take him for walks.
"I have a chunky little raccoon. He needs to be able to go outside," she says. "And he is never loose. He is always on a leash. And he behaves like a perfect little gentleman."
She's hoping to work out a solution with the city. But, if it comes down to giving up Dennis or leaving, she and her husband, Ron, will pack up and go.
Dennis the raccoon (Photo: Echo Neepin)
"When we decided we were going to keep Dennis, we both went into this with our eyes wide open and we made the decision that he comes first," she says.
"He's so much more than just a pet. There's such a strong bond between us."
Back in August 2013, we spoke to another raccoon owner, Mark "Coonrippy" Brown, after his pet, Rebekah, was taken by local authorities.