Zombie Raccoons, Suggestive Snow Sculpture: Illinois' Weird 2018

ILLINOIS — It's almost time to call it on 2018. It was a year of highs and lows, of triumphs and tragedies. And it was jam-packed with news — some of it happy, some of it sad, and some of it downright weird, gross or both. And for some reason, many of the weirdest Illinois stories of 2018 were animal related.

Here's a roundup, in no particular order other than chronological, of some of Illinois Patch's weirdest tales of 2018.

'Horse Extrication' Makes Fire Department Get Creative

Firefighters used a ladder truck and a hose to hoist a horse to safety on Route 41.

Ex-Teacher Recorded Self Masturbating Into Students' Shoes

He also pleaded guilty to possessing child porn and received a hefty sentence.

Cops Called On 'Enormous' Phallic Snow Sculpture

The 13-foot sculpture was a 10-year tradition ... until somebody called the cops.

Live Bobcat Living With Felon In Vacant Storefront

"Lynxie" the bobcat was found along with guns, ammunition and suspected narcotics in a vacant store where a convicted felon was squatting, police said. The animal later found a forever home (and got a new name) at a Minnesota animal sanctuary.

Accused Bike Thief Poops On Police Station Floor

Police said the intoxicated alleged thief broke away from an officer and defecated on the floor.

Fearless 'Zombie Raccoons' Can Be Fatal To Pets

Public health officials report an increase in raccoons infected with the contagious distemper virus in Cook County.

Man Finds 'Thousands' Of Tadpoles In His Pool

Forest preserve officials didn't believe it until they saw it.

Human Case Of 'Rabbit Fever' Reported In Cook County

After a wild rabbit was found to have the illness, which can be life threatening, before a human case was diagnosed.

Father Of 43 Children Beaten To Death

The 63-year-old was the father of more than 40 children.

Missed Email Sends Tennis Pro To Winnetka Instead Of Wimbledon

The 30-year-old had been planning to compete in London but missed out after he didn't read all the way through an email on tournament entry deadlines. He said it was a "tough lesson to learn."

'High Maintenance' Fat Cat Takes Applications For New Owner

Bruno the cat attracted nationwide attention for his ability to stand on his hind legs when he's hungry, refusal to drink water if it's in the same room as his food and his need to have someone petting him while he eats. Luckily, the fat cat found a willing owner.

Mom Faces Child Welfare Investigation After Letting 8-Year-Old Walk Dog Alone

The mom said state investigators subjected her family to a roughly two-week neglect investigation and several interviews.

Corn Kernel-Eating Man Breaks Record

He set a new record for eating kernels one by one (skewered with a toothpick, of course) and holds other 75 Guinness world records.

Unclear Why Boy Stuck Tongue To Pole: Fire Officials

Paramedics were called to the scene of the incident at a sledding hill in late November.

Amber Alert Hoax: Man Lied About Baby In Stolen Car

Hours after an Amber Alert was issued for a supposedly kidnapped 13-month-old, the baby's father was accused of making the whole thing up over a drug deal gone bad.