In an incident straight out of a comedy sketch, Ohio police officers had been left shocked after a routine cease was an unforgettable encounter. Body digital camera footage from the cops captured the second the offender’s raccoon tried smoking from a meth pipe.
The wild footage has since gone viral, and whereas the raccoon might have stolen the highlight, the motive force is now going through severe drug costs.
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The Viral Footage Of A Raccoon With a Meth Pipe
On May 5, Springfield Township cops initiated a visitors cease, which started like every other. They pulled over a automobile pushed by 55-year-old Victoria Vidal on South Arlington Road.
Upon pulling the automobile over, they shortly found Vidal was working it with a suspended license. An additional examine revealed an excellent warrant, resulting in her speedy arrest.
However, when Officer Austin Branham returned to Vidal’s automobile to complete the inspection, issues took a surreal flip. There, within the driver’s seat, was Chewy, Vidal’s pet raccoon with a meth pipe in his mouth.
In the now-viral physique cam footage, Branham could possibly be heard laughing whereas exclaiming, “The raccoon has her meth pipe! He’s playing with a meth pipe right now!”
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Vidal tried to reach for the meth pipe, but the officer stopped her, revealing that it had become evidence. Branham couldn’t get over the sight of the raccoon with the meth pipe, and he continued laughing hysterically, saying, “He’s trying to smoke it!”
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Police Discover Drugs in Vidal’s Car

While the video shortly sparked waves of laughter on-line, the scenario was something however humorous for the authorities. A subsequent search of Vidal’s car revealed a big stash of medication, together with methamphetamine, crack cocaine, and three used glass pipes.
Immediately, officers seized the unlawful substances, and Vidal acquired a number of costs, together with felony drug possession and possession of drug paraphernalia.
On the opposite hand, despite the fact that the raccoon was seen with a meth pipe, Chewy didn’t look like underneath the affect, although his surprising interplay with the thing was deeply regarding to officers on the scene. Luckily, the animal was unhurt.
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Vidal’s Legal Ownership Of The Raccoon

One of the strangest twists was that Vidal was legally allowed to have Chewy in her automobile.
According to Springfield Township authorities, she had the required documentation to show she was legally possessing the raccoon.
Fox 8 studies that in Ohio, raccoons and different unique pets like antelopes, alpacas, moose, and so on., will be saved as pets underneath state rules if correct permits are acquired.
However, animal management officers are reviewing the case to find out whether or not the raccoon will stay in Vidal’s custody. Concerns have been raised concerning the raccoon’s publicity to harmful substances and total residing circumstances.
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Police Hammer On The Gravity Of The Raccoon Meth Pipe Video

While the surprising visitors cease left the web in stitches, officers shortly highlighted the seriousness of the scenario.
Springfield Township Police emphasised that regardless of how humorous the scene might have appeared, it was an actual occasion of drug possession with potential penalties not only for people but in addition for harmless animals.
“While our officers are trained to expect the unexpected, finding a raccoon holding a meth pipe is a first! No raccoons were hurt or injured in this incident,” the police division mentioned on Facebook.
Mixed Reactions Trail The Raccoon Meth Pipe Footage

Chewy has turn into an unlikely web star in a single day. Since the footage went viral, social media has exploded with memes, jokes, and GIFs of the raccoon in motion.
“Chewy for President” and “Raccoon Breaking Bad” are some trending hashtags now circulating.
But even amid the humor, many on-line customers have voiced concern about animal welfare. One particular person commented, “Poor raccoon… he didn’t sign up for this.”
Another shared, “That’s animal abuse, plain and simple.” A 3rd particular person described the scenario as “disturbing,” including that they hoped Vidal can be charged with animal cruelty.
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Next Steps For Vidal And Chewy
Partner in grime | An Ohio police officer was shocked to find a raccoon clutching a meth pipe after its proprietor was taken into custody. pic.twitter.com/LVvAAH1npV
— 🅽🅴🆁🅳🆈 (@Nerdy_Addict) May 7, 2025
As for the offender, her authorized troubles are removed from over. She is going through felony drug costs, and authorities have revealed that additional costs could also be added pending the outcomes of lab evaluation on the substances recovered.
She was additionally cited for driving underneath suspension and transferred to the Cuyahoga Falls Police Department to reply for her excellent warrant.
Meanwhile, Chewy’s destiny stays unsure. While he has captured viewers’ hearts worldwide, his future is determined by an ongoing assessment by animal welfare officers.
If deemed unfit for Vidal’s care, Chewy could possibly be positioned in a wildlife sanctuary or rehomed to a extra applicable atmosphere.
For now, the Springfield Township Police Department continues to remind residents to count on the surprising and perhaps double-check that their raccoons aren’t packing drug paraphernalia.