Michigan man saves raccoon from choking

William “Boski” Messenger, a Burton resident and business owner, posted a video on his social media saving a raccoon from choking on a piece of cheese in his backyard.

“It was just standing up on its hind legs,” Messenger said. “And my friend Tyler grabbed his flashlight and shined on it, and I’m not sure how I knew it was choking, but I just started helping it out.”

The 44-second video shows Messenger tapping on the back of the raccoon. His friend, John Ptaszenski, records the video and his other friend, Tyler Whalen, can be heard in the background coaching him up.

Prior to the raccoon choking, the three men were petting it and the raccoon was not aggressive, climbing up Ptaszenski’s leg.

The trio of friends were hanging out at Messenger’s backyard, like they usually do, eating food and playing games.

At around 3 a.m. on June 15, that’s when the drama began.

“It all happened so fast,” Ptaszenski said. “Bill was already like five back blows to the raccoon before I decided to even get my phone out. I was just sitting there in disbelief.”

Ptaszenki’s video generated over 18 million views on TikTok and nearly 300,000 likes on Instagram.

You can follow Ptaszenki's Instagram account here: www.instagram.com/redshadow1891

You can follow Ptaszenki's son's TikTok account here:   / alexptaszenski  

(Video provided by John Ptaszenski)