Dinner service at an upscale resort restaurant ended in a scramble Sunday, Dec. 14, when a raccoon plunged through the ceiling, bit a diner who tried to grab it, and set off a rapid law-enforcement response, authorities said. The commotion unfolded about 7:30 p.m. inside Ristorante Brissago at the Grand Geneva Resort in Walworth County.
Officials said the incident mattered because it forced an immediate emergency response inside a crowded dining room and triggered public-health protocols that follow any bite from a wild animal. Deputies and wildlife personnel described a chaotic but brief capture that protected other patrons and allowed medics to treat the injured guest. Investigators are now reviewing how the animal entered the ceiling space and whether structural repairs are needed above the dining area. Test results on the raccoon’s rabies status were pending as of Tuesday, according to authorities.
Witnesses told deputies the raccoon crashed into the room while the restaurant was busy, scurried across the floor and walls, and bit a patron who attempted to restrain it. Responding deputies moved customers to safer areas, cornered the animal in a back dining room and, after placing a tote over it, held position for a wildlife specialist. Body-camera video released by authorities shows deputies discussing options before deciding against a Taser. “It certainly had a lot of vigor and energy,” said wildlife control operator Matt Snorek, who arrived with a catch pole and cage and removed the raccoon within minutes. The injured diner was taken to a nearby hospital; authorities did not release a condition update.
Walworth County officials said the raccoon was euthanized and submitted for rabies testing, a routine step in bite cases. Deputies documented bite marks, photographed ceiling damage and collected debris from the drop point for maintenance staff. The resort’s managers cooperated with first responders and temporarily restricted access to the affected rooms while technicians checked ceiling spaces for signs of additional wildlife. Authorities did not identify the bitten guest or provide an age or hometown, citing privacy.
The Grand Geneva complex sits along rolling fairways outside the city center and typically draws weekend crowds for dining and holiday events. Ristorante Brissago’s dining room features soffits and decorative ceiling panels over the main floor, according to guests who were present. Diners reported toppled chairs, scattered plates and several minutes of confusion before staff steered people toward hallways. Outside, patrol SUVs blocked a service lane as a wildlife truck pulled up to the rear entrance. By 9 p.m., most patrons had left and crews began vacuuming insulation that had fallen near a corner banquette.
Authorities said the focus this week is twofold: confirming the rabies test and determining how the raccoon accessed the ceiling void. Inspectors will examine possible entry points on the roofline and around utilities. Deputies also plan to log any prior animal calls to the property and compare them with Sunday’s timeline. If the lab finds no rabies, public-health follow-up typically concludes after wound care and prophylaxis decisions; if positive, the process can involve additional medical steps for anyone exposed. Officials said no other injuries were reported.
Snorek, the wildlife contractor, said the capture took less than a half hour from his arrival. He described the raccoon as large and “angry” when first contained, but quickly subdued once the catch pole set. Staff members retrieved dropped belongings and checked restrooms and corridors before reopening unaffected areas of the resort. Employees who witnessed the event provided statements, and deputies cleared the scene after maintenance secured the damaged ceiling panel.
As of late Tuesday, authorities had not released the test outcome or additional details about the guest’s treatment. The resort’s restaurant remained open outside the taped-off section, and maintenance work continued above the dining room. Officials said the next update will include lab findings and any recommendations from building inspectors once their assessment is complete.
Author note: Last updated December 24, 2025.