A bizarre incident occurred at The Big Apple Grill and Bar in Murray, Kentucky, when a man named Jonathan Mason, also known as “Cowboy Cody,” unleashed a raccoon inside the establishment out of revenge for being turned away. The 40-year-old man had trapped the raccoon on his farm earlier in the day and decided to bring it with him to the bar. This unexpected turn of events left patrons and staff startled and confused.
Mary Hafner, a bartender at The Big Apple, recounted the unusual encounter with Mason. She had asked him to leave the bar after he had been drinking and causing trouble. Initially, Mason complied, but he returned moments later with the raccoon in tow. The frightened animal made its way into the crowded restaurant, causing chaos among the patrons.
Despite the commotion, Hafner took charge of the situation and managed to capture the raccoon without anyone getting hurt. She described the raccoon as more scared than aggressive and successfully released it outside where it ran off unharmed. Hafner’s quick thinking and calm demeanor saved the day amidst the unusual circumstances.
This was not the first time Mason had been involved in animal-related incidents. Previously, he had been arrested for leading police on a drunken mule chase through the city streets. On two separate occasions, Mason had caused a scene by riding a mule recklessly and even beating the animal with a whip in the parking lot.
After releasing the raccoon at the bar, Mason refused to cooperate with police officers, leading to his arrest. He now faces multiple charges, including third-degree criminal trespass, second-degree assault, resisting arrest, and failure to maintain insurance. This series of bizarre events involving Mason has left the community stunned and bewildered by his reckless behavior.
The staff at The Big Apple Grill and Bar, particularly Mary Hafner, demonstrated courage and quick thinking in handling the situation with the raccoon. Despite the chaos caused by Mason’s actions, they were able to maintain order and ensure the safety of everyone involved. This unusual incident will surely be remembered as one of the most bizarre occurrences in the small town of Murray, Kentucky.
