A Kentucky man with a bizarre history of animal-related incidents is back in trouble with the law — this time for releasing a raccoon into a crowded business as a form of revenge.
Jonathan Mason, 40, also known to locals as “Cowboy Cody,” was arrested on the night of June 6, 2025, after allegedly letting a raccoon loose inside The Big Apple Grill and Bar in Murray, Kentucky, according to a Facebook post by the Murray Police Department and eyewitnesses.
According to bartender Mary Hafner, Mason had been banned from the bar previously, but showed up that night already intoxicated. When she politely asked him to leave, he agreed at first — only to return moments later holding a raccoon.
“He had trapped it earlier on his farm and was carrying it around,” Hafner told The New York Post. “I’ve seen some crazy stuff, but nothing like this.”
She said the raccoon appeared frightened as it waddled into the restaurant full of customers. One employee tried to grab it by the tail and ended up getting bitten, which led to rabies shots. Hafner eventually managed to wrap the animal in a towel and safely carry it outside.
“I’m a Kentucky girl,” she said. “I had no problem catching him.”
This isn’t Mason’s first brush with the law involving animals.
Back in December 2024, police said Mason made headlines for riding a mule while intoxicated to a liquor store. When asked to leave to which he refused, the police were called and he was arrested when he attempted to flee on the mule . Days later, he was arrested again for riding the same mule down the road and refusing to stop for police.
Witnesses also claimed to have seen Mason whipping the mule unnecessarily at another business. As a result, the mule was taken away by authorities.
Following the raccoon incident, police pulled Mason over, but he refused to roll down his window or exit the car. Officers eventually removed him and took him into custody.
Across his various run-ins with law enforcement, Mason now faces a long list of charges, including:
- Second-degree assault
- Third-degree criminal trespassing (two counts)
- Second-degree animal cruelty (two counts)
- Resisting arrest (two counts)
- Alcohol intoxication in a public place
- Third-degree fleeing or evading police
- Second-degree disorderly conduct
- Failure to maintain required insurance
Mason was booked into the Calloway County Jail. As of now, no further comment has been provided by the Murray Police Department.
