A Wausau man was arrested Monday after Police say he trapped, shot and burned alive a raccoon.

According to the Wausau Daily Herald, Brian A. Merriam was arrested after admitting to trying to kill the animal.

The 25 Year Old man has been charged with felony offense of mistreatment of animals.

The newspaper says Police were called to 209 Schwebach Street after receiving a report of an animal being abused.

Responding officers found the animal on it's side with all of its fur burned off and barely recognizable.

In the Police report, the officer says when he looked at the animal, the raccoon raised its head, groaned and bared its teeth briefly before setting its head back down. The officers shot the animal to relief it from its severe burns and suffering.

Police say the man admitted to trapping and setting the animal on fire. At the time of his arrest, Merriam had a blood-alcohol level of 0.20 percent.

The Herald says Merriam admitted to Police “it was a stupid idea,” but also said he “wasn’t crazy,”.

The offense is punishable by up to a $10,000 fine and three years and six months in prison.