LAKE GENEVA, Wis. — A raccoon startled diners and bitten a restaurant guest after it fell through the ceiling of a fine dining restaurant at the Grand Geneva Resort and Spa on Sunday evening, authorities and wildlife officials said. The unusual incident occurred around 7:30 p.m. at Ristorante Brissago, where guests were enjoying dinner when the wild animal dropped into the dining area from above.
According to the Walworth County Sheriff’s Office, the raccoon’s unexpected entrance triggered a response from deputies after a guest was bitten while attempting to catch the animal. Officers found the raccoon barricaded in a corner of a back dining room and initially contained it under a trash can before animal control arrived.
Matt Snorek, owner of Guaranteed Gone Wildlife Control, used specialized equipment to safely trap the raccoon, which was described by responders as large and aggressive. After it bit a diner, the animal was euthanized and sent for rabies testing as a precaution. Officials later confirmed the raccoon tested negative for rabies.
The injured guest was treated at a local hospital, and resort officials say guest safety remains their priority. The bizarre episode served as a reminder of how unpredictable wildlife encounters can be, even in upscale settings.
