Rabid Raccoon Killed By 6 Dogs In Fairfield: Authorities

FAIRFIELD, CT — A raccoon that was killed by six dogs in a Fairfield yard has tested positive for rabies, according to authorities.

The dogs killed the raccoon Wednesday evening in a fenced-in yard in Greenfield Hill, authorities said, and testing at the Connecticut Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory in Storrs revealed the animal had rabies.

All the dogs had valid rabies vaccinations and received boosters, but they were put on 45-day home confinement as a precaution per state protocol, according to Fairfield Animal Control.

“In this case the dog owner did everything right by not handling the raccoon or her dogs after the incident so that there was no human exposure,” Animal Control said in a Facebook post.

“… This is the first Fairfield raccoon testing positive for rabies in several years. Due to this incident we are reminding dog/cat owners to be sure to always have a valid rabies vaccination for your pet.”

If a dog or cat comes into contact with a rabid animal and is not vaccinated, the pet will face a mandatory six-month off-property quarantine, according to Animal Control.

A low-cost rabies vaccination clinic will be held from 10 a.m. to noon May 18 at the Fairfield Animal Shelter, 211 Richard White Way, Animal Control said.