'Sick' Raccoons Killed by Hopatcong Cops Test Positive for Rabies

Three raccoons killed by police officers in Hopatcong within four days of each other have tested positive for rabies, Hopatcong Police announced Thursday.

As previously reported by Patch, Hopatcong police responded to a Brown Trail home on Oct. 17 for a report of a “sick” raccoon acting strangely in a resident’s yard. When police arrived, they found the raccoon rolling on its back and walking in circles, signs of a rabies-infected animal. Police shot and killed the raccoon and handed the animal over to Animal Control, which then sent it for testing. The resident told police after the incident the raccoon had jumped into the homeowner’s lap a few nights earlier when he was sitting outside.

Just four days later police responded to a Randolph Avenue home for a similar call, and found two “sick” raccoons, police said. While on scene, one of the animals charged a police officer, and both were subsequently shot and killed by police. Those two were also sent for testing.

All three animals have tested positive for rabies. The homeowner on Brown Trail has been advised by Animal Control and Hopatcong Police to receive a rabies shot, Lt. Thomas Kmetz said.

Police are asking anyone who has come in contact with an animal that may have had rabies to seek immediate medical attention.