United by mourning and healing, the people of Toronto have rallied around an anonymous hero – a dead raccoon who lay on the sidewalk for more than 12 hours before the city’s animal services finally scooped it up to take it to a better place.

After he was reported to Toronto’s city administration and animal control department on the morning of July 9th, more than 12 hours elapsed before he was eventually removed. In that time, a memorial shrine was erected around the poor raccoon, complete with photos, cards, candles, roses, and a trending hashtag – #deadraccoonto. At around 11:00 at night, the party was over – animal services finally picked him up, more than a little chagrined. But the Toronto raccoon was not forgotten, and people were still lighting candles in memoriam.

More info: Twitter

At 9 A.M. on Thursday, a man in Toronto reported a dead raccoon on the sidewalk to the city

Message received

Around noon, however, someone placed a note next to it

6 hours later, he was found with a flower, a card and a framed photo

Someone gave the raccoon its own personal memorial hastag, #DeadRaccoonTO

Sharpies and memorial cards appeared

At around 8 P.M., he was still there, and the flowers were piling up

One city councilor offered to leave bins open as a sign of mourning and respect

The councilor even made a Drake reference

Almost 12 hours later – at 8:20 P.M. – the raccoon was still there

Passersby began a candlelight vigil

Someone even places a Jesus candle

“The proper authorities will only move this little fella when enough funds are raised”

People continued to leave him messages of love and grief

Toronto’s animal services showed up around 11:00

Goodnight, sweet prince

He’s gone, but people are still lighting candles

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