POINT PLEASANT – An animal control officer reported a possible rabies epidemic with the discovery of rabid raccoons in the borough.
Animal Control Officer Muskrat Jack Animal Services, noted a possible rabies epidemic in raccoons within the after several raccoons tested positive for rabies/
How can you tell if an animal has rabies?
You can’t always tell if an animal has rabies by just looking at it – the only way to know for sure if an animal has rabies is to perform laboratory testing. However, animals with rabies may act strangely. Some may be aggressive and try to bite you or other animals, or they may drool more than normal. (This is sometimes shown in movies as animals “foaming at the mouth.”)
Keep in mind, not all animals with rabies will be aggressive or drooling. Other animals may act timid or shy, and a wild animal might move slowly or act tame. You might be able to easily get close to it. Since that’s not the way wild animals usually act, you should remember that something could be wrong. Some animals may not show any signs of having rabies. It’s important to leave wild animals alone, including baby animals.
Some unusual behaviors to look for include:
• Staggering gait
• An animal seemingly oblivious to noise or nearby movement
• Erratic wandering
• Discharge from eyes or mouth
• Wet and matted hair on face
• Repeated high-pitch vocalization
• Self-mutilation
Anyone who encounters a raccoon exhibiting this unusual behavior, should call the Point Pleasant Police Department immediately at 732-892-0060 so Animal Control can be dispatched to retrieve the raccoon.
Pet owners are encouraged to keep their dogs and cats up to date on all their vaccinations.
It is also encouraged to maintain property free of trash and use animal proof garbage cans to discourage animals from wandering around your property.
