Dog Kills Rabid Raccoon In Monroe Dec. 10

MONROE TOWNSHIP, NJ — Last Monday, Dec. 10 a dog killed a rabid raccoon in a Monroe Twp. backyard, and the raccoon has been confirmed as testing positive for rabies, the Middlesex County health department announced.

This is the thirteenth rabid animal reported within Middlesex County in 2018 and the third rabid animal found in Monroe this year.

The dog killed the raccoon last Monday, Dec. 10 in the yard of a private home in the vicinity of South Shore Blvd. and 10th Street in Monroe. The homeowner called 911 after the dog killed the raccoon and a Monroe Twp. animal control officer was called to the home. The raccoon was sent to the New Jersey Department of Health Laboratory for testing.

Test results came back last Wednesday, Dec. 12 that the animal tested positive for rabies. There were no known human exposures.

Residents should report wild animals showing signs of unusual behavior to their local police departments. Finally, be sure that all family pets are up to date on their rabies vaccinations.

Signs of unusual animal behavior could be that the animal may:

• Move slowly
• May act as if tame
• Appear sick
• Have problems swallowing
• Have an increase in saliva
• Have increased drooling
• Act aggressively
• Have difficulty moving
• Have paralysis
• Bite at everything if excited

Shutterstock photo