The strangest things tend to go viral on social media, so it’s not too surprising when a dead raccoon is elevated to news coverage.
On July 9th, a dead raccoon lay on the sidewalk in Toronto for more than 12 hours before the city’s animal services finally scooped it up to take it to a better place. Before being scooped up, a memorial shrine was erected around the poor guy, complete with photos, cards, candles, roses, a trending hashtag #deadraccoonto, a Twitter account @DeadRaccoonTO and photoshopped images.
Whether an indication of slacktivism where people would rather passively make social media posts about a problem rather than address it or an example of citizens creatively finding a way to show displeasure with government, this ranks up there. Where, we don’t know.
The sidewalk memorial is growing, @311Toronto. H/T @jasonwagar. #DeadRaccoonTO pic.twitter.com/3vTUf9xB7b
— Norm Kelly (@norm) July 10, 2015
Candlelight vigil now being held for #DeadRaccoonTO. Picture courtesy of @gavingraham. pic.twitter.com/HrpApfbBfJ
— Norm Kelly (@norm) July 10, 2015
Someone has just dropped off a religious Jesus candle beside the raccoon. #DeadRaccoonTO pic.twitter.com/fCD794YEV8
— Kris Pangilinan (@KrisReports) July 10, 2015
Residents are being asked to keep their green bins open tonight in honour of #DeadRaccoonTO.
— Norm Kelly (@norm) July 10, 2015
Leaving some messages for #DeadRaccoonTO pic.twitter.com/xirnynU4qa
— Kris Pangilinan (@KrisReports) July 10, 2015
My condolences to the family of #DeadRaccoonTO. pic.twitter.com/B4DitIKNYB
— Norm Kelly (@norm) July 10, 2015
Now there’s trouble. #DeadRaccoonTO‘s city councillor is demanding answers… And day-old donuts. #TOpoli pic.twitter.com/dfFQZanG08
— Stephen Lautens (@stephenlautens) July 10, 2015
Brian Williams was there. #DeadRaccoonTO pic.twitter.com/tQ0RkAWalS
— Brent Mazur (@Brent_Mazur) July 10, 2015
