Rabid Raccoon Attack Recovery Going Well For Devon Woman & Dogs

RADNOR TWP — A Devon woman and her two dogs are feeling better this week after being attack by a rabid raccoon in The Willows Park on July 25 and treated with rabies vaccinations.

Amanda Bernard said she and her two dogs, a Jack Russell terrier, Venus, and a golden retriever, Ranger, are following the rabies protocol.

Bernard, however, said she comes down with flu-like symptoms that include nausea and headaches after each rabies shot.

Bernard was required to get four doses of the rabies vaccine over two weeks.

Rabies is contracted through contact with the saliva or neural tissue of an infected animal, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

Bernard was walking her dogs at 6 p.m. on a Skunk Hollow Trail when she heard a shrieking noise.

The raccoon was hissing and attacked the smaller of the two dogs. Venus suffered puncture wounds to the leg, and Bernard was covered in blood.

The larger dog, a golden retriever, intervened and was scratched. The dogs were up-to-date on their vaccinations.

Bernard had to cancel her vacation to Europe.

The Radnor Township animal control officer, William Gallagher, searched the park and did not locate the raccoon.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said that a rabid racoon is usually dead within one to three days after becoming infected.

If an individual is bitten by a rabid raccoon, effective post exposure treatment is available.