Murray, Kentucky – A 40-year-old man who previously rode a mule on a roadway is accused of releasing a raccoon at a bar where he was not permitted to be.
According to the Murray Police Department, on the night of June 6, officers received a report that someone had “intentionally released a raccoon into an open business,” which the Murray Sentinel identified as Big Apple Grill and Bar. Officers learned that the raccoon had allegedly bit someone at the establishment.
Authorities quickly located the suspect, Jonathan Mason, and attempted to conduct a traffic stop on his vehicle. Mason reportedly refused to exit the vehicle, prompting officers to break the driver’s side window, open the door, and remove the suspect. According to the Murray Sentinel, a minor collision occurred during the process, but the vehicle was uninsured.
After further investigation, police discovered Mason, also known locally as “Cowboy Cody,” was not permitted to be on the Big Apple Grill and Bar property.
Mason was taken to the hospital for minor injuries and then released. He was booked into the Calloway County Jail and charged with second-degree assault, criminal trespassing, resisting arrest, and failure of owner to maintain required insurance.
Mason was previously charged with refusing to leave a local alcohol establishment in December 2024. He is accused of riding a mule on the road while intoxicated and failing to obey an officer’s commands. According to police, he also whipped the mule a “unnecessary amount.” He was charged with disorderly conduct, public intoxication, criminal trespassing, resisting arrest, and animal cruelty in that case.
