Roofer Accused Of Fatally Scorching Raccoon In Tar-Heating Machine

PINELLAS PARK - The owner of a roofing company was arrested Wednesday, accused by wildlife officials of killing a raccoon that could not be coaxed out of the fire kettle of a tar-heating machine.

Eric L. Hill, 49, of 3738 67th Ave. N., Pinellas Park, was charged with felony cruelty to animals.

Hill and his employees had begun work on the roof of Northside Hospital in Pinellas Park about 10 a.m. Wednesday when they discovered two of the animals, Gary Morse, spokesman for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said.

One member of the crew turned on the tar-heating machine and heard scratching, Morse said. Inside the furnace of the machine was a young raccoon. Its fur was singed when the machine was activated, Morse said.

The workers turned off the machine and removed the animal, but the second raccoon, an adult, would not come out.

Hill told his employees that they were wasting time and to turn on the machine, although the adult raccoon was still inside, Morse said.

"The people who work for Mr. Hill refused to restart the bucket," Morse said. "So he did it himself."

The adult raccoon was burned alive.

"There's no explanation for this kind of act," Morse said. "I'm at a loss for words."

The surviving baby raccoon, named Miracle by veterinarians, is being treated at a local animal hospital.

Miracle is in fair condition, said Don Woodman, a veterinarian at Animal Hospital of Northwood, adding he was concerned the 3-week-old raccoon suffered from smoke inhalation but that the initial X-ray did not show lung damage.

The plan is to nurse Miracle back to health and return him to the wild, he said.

Hill was released from Pinellas County Jail on Wednesday night after posting $5,000 bail.

Vernon Yates, a Pinellas County wildlife rehabilitator who was called by commission officials to help the baby raccoon, said the state attorney's office normally does not prosecute such cases.

"If there's not enough public outcry, I would be willing to bet this guy is going to be slapped on the hand and walk away," Yates said of Hill.