Rabid raccoon captured in Port Chester

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WHITE PLAINS – A raccoon that was captured Sunday after it attacked three people in Port Chester has been confirmed to be rabid, the Westchester County Health Department announced on Tuesday. The county used robo-calls to notify nearby residents.

The first attack occurred on a woman at the corner of Halstead and Madison avenues shortly after 2:30 p.m. The raccoon then bit a man nearby on Halstead Avenue before attacking another man in a nearby backyard on Willett Avenue.

The man’s father killed the raccoon with a shovel and contacted Port Chester Police, which secured the animal for rabies testing.

All three people who were bitten are receiving preventive rabies treatment.

County Health Commissioner Dr. Sherlita Amler advised residents to “Stay alert and closely supervise children and pets when outside. If you see an animal that is acting aggressively, stay away from it and contact local police immediately.”

Unusual behavior may be the first sign of rabies in an animal. A rabid animal may become either abnormally aggressive or unusually tame. It may lose fear of people and become excited and irritable, or, appear particularly passive and lethargic.

Staggering and frothing at the mouth are sometimes noted.

 




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