US Park Police officer shoots self in foot trying to fight off raccoon attack

WASHINGTON (AP) -- A United States Park Police officer shot himself in the foot while attempting to fend off a raccoon.

Park Police said in a statement that the officer was attacked by the raccoon around noon Thursday on Horse Stable Lane in northwest Washington, where Park Police have horse stables as well as a fuel station.

Authorities say the officer was taken to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Park Police said the raccoon was fatally shot by another officer at the scene.