Hasbrouck Heights Police Warn Residents Of Raccoon Attacks

HASBROUCK HEIGHTS, N.J. — Police have warned residents to be on alert after raccoon attacks were reported in the borough recently, police said.

It isn't known if the animal has rabies, police said.

A shelter worker and a dog were bitten in one incident, The Record reported, and another dog was bitten and its owner scratched in a second.

"We are advising all residents to use caution and recommend not letting small children or pets outside without supervision," an alert posted on the police department's Facebook page read.

The department is working with Bergen County Animal Control to contain the animal. authorities said.

Police recently found a dead raccoon, which they believe might have been responsible for one of the attacks, Lt. Ian Robertson told The Record. Bergen County Animal Control took the animal for rabies testing, but the results might not be known until Tuesday, Chief MIchael Colaneri said in the report.

"If you encounter a raccoon or any animal that appears sick or aggressive, especially during daytime hours, call 911 and notify the Hasbrouck Heights Police immediately," the alert read.

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PHOTO: Wikimedia Commons, used with permission