NEW CITY – The Rockland County Department of Health has requested that anyone in the community who may have any knowledge of a man who was bitten by a raccoon over this past weekend at Kakiat Park in Suffern contact the Department of Health at 845-364-2594 or the Rockland County Sheriff’s Office at 845-638-5400.
The incident may have occurred on either Saturday, January 11 or Sunday, January 12.
The raccoon could potentially be a rabid animal and the bite victim will need to seek immediate medical attention.
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 conversely appear particularly passive and lethargic. Staggering and frothing at the mouth are sometimes noted.
Residents who see a stray or wild animal acting strangely should avoid contact with the animal and alert local authorities to avoid possible exposure to rabies.
