Rabies Vaccine Crackdown In Arlington After Raccoon Attack

ARLINGTON, MA — Animal Control Officer Diane Welch is stressing the importance of vaccinating pets against rabies after a raccoon that attacked a young child tested positive for the deadly virus. Welch said she will issue citations to any pet owner whose animal is found to not be vaccinated and will continue to do so weekly until it is done.

"I'm worried an unvaccinated outdoor cat gets bitten by a sick raccoon, the owner think it's not that bad of a bite from who knows what and then, have mercy, that cat bites someone in the house," Welch wrote on Facebook Wednesday. "Maybe that bite is not that bad so a [doctor] is not seen. This could be a deadly situation."

A young child is recovering after a raccoon attack in the backyard of a home on Fountain Road Oct. 14. The animal, which tested positive for rabies after it was euthanized, was "one of the largest raccoons we've ever seen," Welch said.

"I cannot believe how well this child and her 5-year-old brother – he ran inside to call 911 and give his address – are doing," Welch continued. "Their parents are so grateful for the outpouring of support they have received from this community."

Welch said there are vaccine clinics held every weekend at Petco and other pet supply stores if residents do not have a vet or cannot get an appointment. Welch does not want people to panic, but she "cannot tell you that this was the only animal in town with rabies." She reassured residents that raccoon sightings during the day are not necessarily a cause for concern.

Rabies is a serious disease that affects the brain and spinal cord in mammals, including humans. The Arlington Police Department and Department of Health and Human Services shared the following tips to help prevent the spread of rabies:

• Teach children to never approach animals they don't know – even if they appear friendly.
• Report any animal that behaves oddly to your local animal control official.
• Enjoy wild animals from a distance. Do not keep wild animals as pets. This is against the law in Massachusetts.
• Make sure your pets are vaccinated against rabies. By law, all dogs, cats and ferrets must be regularly vaccinated against rabies.
• Don't feed or water your pets outside. Even empty bowls will attract wild and stray animals.
• Keep your pets in a fenced yard or on a leash and do not let them roam freely.
• Keep your garbage securely covered. Open garbage will attract wild or stray animals.
• Keep your chimney capped and repair holes in attics, cellars, and porches to help keep wild animals like bats and raccoons out of your home.

Learn more about rabies.