Rabid Raccoon Fights With 2 Dogs In Long Valley

A raccoon that was involved in an incident with two dogs in Long Valley has tested positive for rabies, officials said.

On Wednesday, the Washington Township Animal Control Officer was alerted to a raccoon fighting with two dogs near Old Farmers Road and Youngman Drive.

The raccoon was exhibiting signs of rabies and was sent to the NJ Public Health and Environmental Laboratory for testing. The tests indicated that the animal was infected with the virus.

The conditions of the two dogs involved were not made clear.

Washington Township Animal Control officials are investigating any possible exposures related to the sick raccoon.

“If you come across a domestic animal such as a cat or dog that is sick, injured, dead, orphaned, or behaving oddly, it’s best to leave it alone and contact police dispatch and have them notify Animal Control,” a statement read. “Domestic animals with known or suspected exposure must receive booster vaccinations and must be quarantined by the Washington Township Health Department.”

This was the second rabid raccoon found in Long Valley this year, according to township officials.

Rabies is a contagious and deadly disease that can affect all mammals. The disease is spread through bites, scratches, or any exposure to an open wound.

Common signs of rabies include staggering, restlessness, aggression, choking, or a change in the tone of their barks or growls. Some animals may show radical behavioral changes, like nocturnal animals coming out during the day, for example.

“Rabies poses a real threat, especially to unvaccinated domestic animals. This incident should serve as a reminder for pet owners to ensure their animals are up-to-date with rabies vaccination,” officials said. “Rabies occurs throughout New Jersey. Bats are the animal most commonly found to have rabies. Skunks, foxes, raccoons, and unvaccinated domestic animals can also develop rabies. This is the second known rabid raccoon in Washington Township this year. Human rabies cases in the United States are rare.”

If you or your pet is bitten or scratched by a potentially rabid animal, the wound should be cleaned immediately, and you should seek medical attention ASAP. If not treated promptly, rabies can be fatal.

Washington Township health officials provided the following tips to keep your household safe from rabies:

• Make sure your pets and domestic animals are up-to-date on their rabies vaccinations.
• Keep children and pets from approaching or touching wild or strange animals.
• Make sure that any openings to your home, such as crawl spaces, chimneys, attics, porches, or garages, are sealed or covered with thick wire screen to prevent entry by wild animals.
• Discourage wild animal foraging by not leaving pet food outside and by securing garbage cans.
• Avoid feeding, touching, or housing stray or wild animals.
• If you see a domestic animal (i.e., cat, dog) that is sick, injured, dead, orphaned, or behaving oddly, leave it alone and contact Animal Control.
• If you see a wild animal (i.e., fox, skunk, raccoon), that is sick, injured, orphaned, or behaving oddly, leave it alone and contact Animal Control. Do NOT handle the animal yourself.

To report a health issue, call the Washington Township Health Department at 908-876-3650.

For more information on rabies, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.