Rabies Suspected in Raccoon, Police Say

Editor's Note: This story has been updated with additional information (March 19, 2013, 12pm and March 20, 2013, 10am).

In addition to five skunks that recently died within a short period of time, a borough raccoon may have been infected by the rabies virus, the Hellertown Police Department announced Tuesday.

Four of the skunks were killed by authorities and one died before it could be put down, according to earlier information released by the borough via its website.

Police Chief Robert Shupp said that although the animals were not submitted for definitive testing, officials with the state's departments of wildlife management and agriculture told him "the actions of the animals were, in their opinion, rabies induced."

Shupp said that at $1,000 per test, testing the animals would have been cost-prohibitive, and would not have resulted in additional help or resources being deployed by the state in the result of confirmation of one or more rabies cases.

Free testing is only done by the state if a human is bitten by an animal that is suspected to have rabies, he said.

In light of the recent suspected cases, police will continue to put the animals down when they appear, he added.

Meanwhile, police are also urging members of the public to take common sense precautions to protect themselves and their families.

"As the weather gets warmer, the opportunity for humans and their domestic animals to come in contact with wildlife becomes greater," police said in a statement. "We are urging the public to educate our children and yourself about what to do if you come across a wild animal that is acting strange."

The following tips were also shared:

• Never handle a wild animal.
• Always leash your pet when you're outside.
• Have your pet vaccinated for rabies.
• If you see an animal behaving strangely, or in an unusual place/time, contact authorities immediately.

According to the PA Department of Agriculture website not all animals infected with rabies exhibit signs, but red flags—in terms of unusual behavior—can include:

• Aggression and loss of fear.
• Daytime activity by nocturnal animals.
• Excessive vocalization.
• Drooling.
• Attraction to human activity.
• Lack of coordination.
• Biting.
• Hind limb weakness.
• Dilated pupils.

Residents who want to report an animal they believe could be infected with rabies should call the Hellertown Police Department at 610-838-7040, the Northampton County Non-Emergency line at 610-759-2200, or—if a person or domestic animal has come into contact with the suspect animal—911.

Police stressed that individuals without training should never attempt to corner or capture an animal that could be infected with the disease.

"If the animal walks away, just let the police know the direction it went," they said.

Residents are also being urged to check their yards before allowing pets or children to play outside.

More information about rabies is available online at the PA Department of Agriculture website.