Massachusetts fire chief sparks fury after he was filmed running over and killing a raccoon 'because it was RABID'

A Massachusetts fire commissioner has come under fire for allegedly running over and killing a raccoon, which officials believed to be rabid and 'foaming' at the mouth. 

Springfield Fire Commissioner, BJ Calvi has allegedly been seen on camera running over an infected raccoon in front of the Springfield Fire Department's Headquarters on February 21. 

Clips of the video show a black SUV, believed to be a city vehicle, moving ahead and revving back in the middle of the day as another man in a firefighter's uniform approaches the car. 

The Springfield Fire Department said that while they did receive reports of a raccoon in distress, they were unable to confirm whether it was genuinely rabid. 

Springfield Fire Commissioner, BJ Calvi has allegedly been seen on camera running over an infected raccoon in front of the Springfield Fire Department's Headquarters on February 21

Clips of the video show a black SUV, believed to be a city vehicle, moving ahead and revving back in the middle of the day 

The Springfield Fire Department said that while they did receive reports of a raccoon in distress, they were unable to confirm whether it was genuinely rabid

Springfield Fire Captain Drew Piemonte told 22News: 'I notified TJ O’Connor Animal Control, but they don’t handle nuisance wildlife. They were able to contact a trapper. But couldn't estimate the time of arrival.

'And due to the area where the station is located its high occupancy and high foot traffic, he determined it was a threat to public safety and "dispatched" it with his city vehicle.'

The Fire Department further said that the 'Commissioner did observe the raccoon foaming at the mouth'. 

The Springfield Police Department also confirmed that they received calls about a sick raccoon. 

Since the release of the video, local leaders and residents have been criticizing the Commissioner of inhumanity and and have prompted discussions on wildlife management in urban areas. 

Since the release of the video, local leaders and residents have been criticizing the Commissioner of inhumanity

Former State Representative Cheryl Coakley-Rivera of the Hampden County Registry of Deeds said: 'This was extremely disturbing, what are you thinking when you are running it over, you miss it, you back up, and you run it over again?

'Right now I am a concerned citizen. His best thinking is not good enough, and I think the mayor should take a look at this video.

'I think it's pretty disgusting, and disturbing and clearly something needs to be done. It's not acceptable.'

Critics have also argued that the method used by the accused was 'excessively' cruel and other solutions should have been considered. 

Springfield Fire Captain Drew Piemonte said: 'I notified TJ O’Connor Animal Control, but they don’t handle nuisance wildlife. They were able to contact a trapper. But couldn't estimate the time of arrival'

Former State Representative Cheryl Coakley-Rivera of the Hampden County Registry of Deeds said: 'I think it's pretty disgusting, and disturbing and clearly something needs to be done. It's not acceptable'

But while some have criticized Calvi, Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno has come to his defense and said that the action 'had to be taken in the name of public health and safety'.

Sarno added that Calvi was acting within his capacity as a municipal official, as specified by the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife. 

His role as a municipal official allowed him to respond and take immediate action when he reasonably concludes that an animal is rabid.

According to the Police Department's spokesperson Ryan Walsh, if locals come into contact with a potentially sick or injured wild animal, they should call the police for assistance. 

If there is an imminent danger to the public, officers can euthanize the animal with their service weapons, as long as 'it is safe to do so with no passing cars or bystanders in the line of fire,' Walsh told MassLive. 

It is unclear whether action will be taken against Calvi or if efforts will be made to determine whether the racoon was indeed rabid.