Potential Rabid Raccoons in Hopatcong

On 10/17/14 at 16:34 Officer Kern responded to the 100 block of Brown Trail for a sick raccoon. Officer Kern located the animal in the backyard. The raccoon was rolling on its back and walking in circles. The resident advised the officer that 2-3 nights prior he was drinking a beer on his front steps and a raccoon jumped on his lap. Officer Kern shot the raccoon. The deceased raccoon was given to our animal control officer. She took it to be tested for rabies. That test has not come back yet.

On 10/21/14 at 10:08 Officer Cirri and Sgt. Wojtach responded to the 100 block of Randolph Ave for two sick raccoon’s. One charged Officer Cirri. Both raccoon’s were shot by the officers. The caller stated that there are at least 2 or 3 other raccoon’s in the area that also seem to be sick. That investigation was turned over to our Animal Control Officer.

If you “may” have come into contact with the saliva from a rabid animal you need to seek medical treatment. If you do have rabies and catch it quickly you can survive. If you do not get it treated you can die. Here is a FAQ page on rabies. Lt. Kmetz

http://www.state.nj.us/health/cd/documents/faq/rabies.pdf

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