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

A 6-year-old boy was attacked and injured by a raccoon while walking to school in Elmwood Park Wednesday morning, police there said.

According to Elmwood Park Police Chief Michael Foligno, a raccoon ran up behind the boy, jumped on his back, and latched onto his face while his mother was walking him to school. 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.

Bergen County Animal Control took the animal away and will have it tested for rabies. The results should be available on Friday, the chief said.

The Elmwood Park schools superintendent has been notified, police said.

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