Rabies Alert In Middletown

MIDDLETOWN, NJ — Another rabid animal was found in Middletown: A raccoon found Sunday, Oct. 15 on Tilton Place has tested positive for the rabies virus, the Township Health Department confirmed.

The raccoon was spotted in the area of Tilton Place and Chapel Hill Road, where it got into an altercation with two dogs on Sunday. The owner called 911 and the raccoon's carcass was sent to the state lab for testing; the state lab confirmed Tuesday it had rabies. Fortunately, both dogs were currently vaccinated against rabies.

Rabies is not uncommon. This is at least the fourth rabid animal found in Middletown Township so far this summer and fall:

• A raccoon found in the area of Green Meadow Boulevard and Four Winds Drive during the week of Sept. 4 tested positive for rabies.
• Someone's dog killed a raccoon on Hopping Road in the Belford section in July, and the raccoon tested positive for rabies.
• And a raccoon with rabies was found around Aug. 24 in the Atlantic Highlands area.

So far, no humans have been bitten.

If you come across a sick or injured animal, keep your distance and please contact Middletown Animal Control at 732-615-2097 immediately or contact the Police Department at 732-615-2100 after hours and on weekends. Please make sure all domestic animals (dogs, cats, and livestock) are currently vaccinated with a Rabies shot. Do not let your pets run free off leash, even in the woods.

Image via Morguefile