Devon Mom & Dogs Recovering From Rabid Raccoon Attack

RADNOR TWP — Radnor Township officials said Wednesday they plan to alert the public about a raccoon attack of a Devon woman and her two dogs Monday night at The Willows Park.

Amanda Bernard and her two dogs, a Jack Russell terrier, Venus, and a golden retriever, Ranger, were attacked by a rabid raccoon while walking along a three-mile loop.

Bernard and her dogs received rabies’ shots and were home Wednesday recovering from the scary incident.

Bernard said she spoke with William Gallagher, Radnor Township parking and auxiliary supervisor, on Wednesday about what happened.

“He was very empathetic about it,” she said.

Gallagher said he plans to alert the public about the incident.

The dogs were treated at VRC Emergency Pet Care Hospital in Malvern.

The Jack Russell terrier was treated for a puncture wound to a leg and the golden retriever was treated for a scratch on nose.

Bernard was treated at Paoli hospital. She is required to get three additional rabies’ shots.

Bernard was cancelled her to Europe, but is grateful to be home recovering with her dogs. She is especially thankful that her golden retriever dislodged the raccoon from the terrier, saving his family.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), only one human has ever died from the raccoon strain of rabies.

A rabid raccoon is usually dead within one to three days of becoming infectious, and if an individual is bitten by a rabid raccoon, effective post exposure treatment is available.