DUBUQUE, Iowa —  A Dubuque man said his friend's raccoon went crazy before it attacked him.

Steven Hines called police early Tuesday morning to report that he had been bitten, police said.

Hines had agreed to watch the animal for a few days and decided to let it out of its cage for a while. Police said that Hines told officers that when he opened the cage the animal "went crazy" and scratched and bit at his hands and arms.

Police said that when they arrived, the raccoon was locked in its cage and appeared calm and tame.

The animal was taken to the Humane Society to be examined by a veterinarian. Hines refused medical treatment.