Police Warning After Raccoon Attack

DUMFRIES, VA — After a man was attacked by a raccoon on Saturday in Dumfries, Prince William County Police is offering tips to keep raccoons out of your yard and what to do when you see one.

The victim has been treated for bites to his hands. A trap has been set in the area, but the raccoon has not been located.

"It is extremely unusual for a raccoon, even one that is sick, to attack a human," according to a police statement. "The mere presence of a raccoon on your property is not necessarily a cause for alarm. These animals are not known to be predatory toward humans and rarely pose a threat to pets."

Tips from Prince William County Police:

• Raccoons can be seen during daylight hours, and daytime activity does not necessarily imply they are rabid, sick, or acting aggressively.
• Raccoons can be active during the day, especially during hot, dry weather and at this time of year when raising their young.
• The safest thing to do is leave raccoons and other wildlife alone and to notify others to keep a distance. Teach children to not approach, feed, or try to pet raccoons or other wildlife. Reinforce that these are wild animals and that they should remain that way.
• If at all possible, attempt to keep pets from chasing or harassing raccoons or other wildlife, as any wild animal in the act of defending itself could potentially cause harm.
• Raccoons are often attracted to houses and properties due to unsecured trash cans, dumpsters, pet food left outside, fruit trees, and barbeque grills. These animals have keen senses of smell, and anything that smells like a potential food source could attract them.
• If you see a raccoon that is displaying any combination of behaviors that include staggering, seemingly oblivious to noise or nearby movement, wandering erratically, discharge from its eyes or mouth, wet and matted hair on its face, making repeated high-pitched noises or self-mutilation, then call the Animal Control Bureau through the police non-emergency number of 703-792-6500.

For additional information, go to dgif.virginia.gov/wildlife/problems/raccoons/

Photo by Bastique, creative commons