Kentucky man who allegedly rode a mule on the roadway accused of releasing a raccoon inside bar

MURRAY, Ky. (TCN) — A 40-year-old man who previously rode a mule on a roadway stands accused of releasing a raccoon at a bar he wasn’t allowed to be in.

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,” identified by the Murray Sentinel as the Big Apple Grill and Bar. Officers learned the raccoon allegedly bit someone at the establishment.

Authorities soon found the suspect, Jonathan Mason, and attempted to perform a traffic stop on his vehicle. Mason reportedly refused to exit the car, and officers eventually broke the driver’s side window, opened the door, and removed the suspect. According to the Murray Sentinel, a minor collision occurred in the process, but the vehicle wasn’t insured.

Upon further investigation, police learned Mason, who is known locally to some as “Cowboy Cody,” wasn’t allowed on the property of the Big Apple Grill and Bar.

Mason was transported to a hospital for minor injuries and released. He was booked into the Calloway County Jail and faces charges of second-degree assault, criminal trespassing, resisting arrest, and failure of owner to maintain required insurance.

Mason was previously accused of refusing to leave a local alcohol establishment in December 2024. While under the influence of alcohol, he allegedly rode a mule on the roadway and failed to comply with an officer’s commands. Police allege he also whipped the mule an “unnecessary amount.” He was charged with disorderly conduct, alcohol intoxication in a public place, criminal trespassing, resisting arrest, and cruelty to animals in that case.

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