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Retired Officer Loses Excessive Force Case After Rabbit Shooting Arrest

MADISON, Wis. — An 89-year-old retired police officer who was arrested after sticking a pellet gun out his car window to shoot rabbits has lost an appeal arguing that excessive force was used to apprehend him.

Raymond Bednarek of Oshkosh sued the city after he was arrested, arguing that police used excessive force. The 2nd District Court of Appeals on Tuesday affirmed a lower court’s ruling rejecting Bednarek’s lawsuit, saying police responded appropriately.

Bednarek volunteered to help his condominium’s problem with rabbits by shooting them with his pellet gun. He was arrested after someone called police when they saw Bednarek sticking his gun out his car window trying to get in a good shooting position.

Bednarek says he didn’t hear police tell him to exit the car. He was pulled out and put down on the grass and handcuffed.