Sarasota, Florida: Man Claims to Have Trained His Pet Raccoon to Fetch the Newspaper

Sarasota Man Claims to Have Trained His Pet Raccoon to Fetch the NewspaperSarasota Man Claims to Have Trained His Pet Raccoon to Fetch the Newspaper In a peculiar turn of events, a Sarasota man has recently made headlines for his unusual pet-training feat. Anthony “Tony” Baxter claims to have successfully trained his pet raccoon, Bandit, to retrieve the morning newspaper from his mailbox. Baxter, a retired construction worker, said he adopted Bandit as an abandoned baby nearly two years ago. Inspired by videos he saw online, he decided to embark on the ambitious project of training the raccoon to fetch newspapers. Using treats and positive reinforcement, Baxter spent countless hours working with Bandit. Gradually, he taught the raccoon the steps involved in the task, from recognizing the sound of the newspaper hitting the mailbox to bringing it back to Baxter’s doorstep. “It took a lot of patience and consistency,” said Baxter. “But eventually, Bandit got it.” Each morning, Baxter waits at his doorstep as Bandit waddles to the mailbox and retrieves the newspaper with his nimble paws. According to Baxter, Bandit takes great pride in his newfound ability and enjoys the attention he gets for his accomplishment. News of Baxter’s trained raccoon has spread throughout the neighborhood and beyond. Neighbors have been visiting to witness the unusual sight for themselves, and many have expressed admiration for Baxter’s training skills. “I never thought I’d see a raccoon fetching a newspaper,” said Neighbor Emily Johnson. “It’s amazing how intelligent these animals can be.” Despite the positive attention, Baxter has also faced some criticism from wildlife experts. Some have expressed concerns about the potential risks of training wild animals to interact with humans. “There’s a reason raccoons are wild animals,” said Wildlife Biologist Lisa Duncan. “They can carry diseases and can become aggressive if they feel threatened.” Baxter acknowledges these concerns but emphasizes that he has taken proper precautions to ensure Bandit’s safety and well-being. He has regular veterinary check-ups for the raccoon and keeps him strictly indoors when he is not retrieving the newspaper. Whether or not Baxter’s training methods are ethical, there’s no denying that Bandit has become a beloved local celebrity in Sarasota. Residents are entertained by his daily newspaper-fetching routine, and Baxter is proud of the bond he has formed with his unusual pet.