Rabid Raccoon Found In Smithtown, Dog May Have Been Exposed: Officials

SMITHTOWN, NY — A raccoon found outside a Smithtown home has tested positive for rabies, and a pet dog may have been exposed to the infected animal, Suffolk County health officials said Friday.

The raccoon, which appeared to be ill, was discovered by a member of the public outside a Smithtown residence on Sept. 15, according to the Suffolk County Department of Health Services.

Subscribe

Officers from the Suffolk County Police Department's Emergency Service Section responded and transported the animal for rabies testing.

The county health department was notified of the positive result by the New York State Department of Health's Wadsworth Center on Sept. 18.

A pet dog may have been exposed to the raccoon, officials said. The dog's rabies vaccination was current, and it was taken to a veterinarian to receive a booster shot.

No human exposures were reported.

The case marks Suffolk County's 27th terrestrial rabies confirmation of 2026 and the 46th since Feb. 7, 2025, according to health officials.

It follows the discovery of a rabid raccoon at Sunken Meadow State Park in Kings Park on Sept. 11. That animal was found by a park employee and died a short time later. No human or pet exposures were reported in that case.

New York State and Suffolk County laws require all dogs, cats and ferrets to be vaccinated against rabies.

Health officials said vaccinating pets protects the animals and helps prevent the virus from spreading between wildlife and people.

Rabies is a deadly viral disease that attacks the central nervous system. It is most commonly found in wild animals such as raccoons, bats, skunks and foxes, although any mammal can become infected.

Residents are urged not to touch or transport wild animals.

Anyone who sees a raccoon behaving abnormally should call Suffolk County Police at 631-852-COPS or the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation at 631-444-0250.

For more information about rabies and prevention, visit the
Suffolk County Department of Health Services website.