Raccoon That Attacked N.J. Boy Tests Positive For Rabies

The raccoon that viciously attacked and injured a 6-year-old Elmwood Park boy as he was walking to school has tested positive for rabies, authorities confirmed.

It is the first confirmed case of rabies in Bergen County this year, said county spokesman Michael Pagan.

According to Elmwood Park Police Chief Michael Foligno, the raccoon ran up behind the boy, jumped on his back, and latched onto his face while his mother was walking him to school Wednesday morning. The animal bit and scratched the boy on his face, police said.

A neighbor grabbed a painter’s pole from his vehicle, hit the animal until it let go and then beat it to death, police said.

The boy suffered ”significant” lacerations to his face and was taken to Hackensack University Medical Center for treatment, Foligno said. He received several stitches and was released Thursday.

There were 19 reported cases of rabies in Bergen County last year, including 11 raccoons, five skunks, and one cat. The 11 raccoon cases was the fourth-highest total among the state’s 21 counties.

Cats have accounted for 90 percent of the domestic animal rabies cases in New Jersey since 1989.

Rabies usually occurs in two forms. One form is the more aggressive version. The infected animal will chase and attack other animals and people.

The other form is when an infected animal acts “dumb.” The animal looks sickly, has trouble walking, appears to be drunk, or could be paralyzed.

Related: Raccoon Mauls Bergen Boy, 6, Walking To School: Police