WEST CHESTER, PA — Another raccoon attacked a person in Chester County recently, marking the second incident in the past month, the Chester County Health Department confirmed.
It is not yet known if the raccoon was rabid.
The incident occurred on Friday, July 10 on Brandywine Trail in East Bradford Township. The victim was walking between Sugars Bridge Nature Area and Harmony Hill Access Trail.
The individual suffered injuries and is currently receiving medical care. Officials have not released further details on the nature of the attack.
An investigation is currently underway to determine if the raccoon was rabid and what occurred.
An incident with a raccoon also occurred on June 19 in New Garden Township, while a woman was in her yard.
Raccoons are not generally aggressive animals, but rabies can cause aberrant behavior. Some signs and symptoms of rabies in animals includes aggression, loss of fear of people and natural enemies, unprovoked attacks, staggering, convulsions, choking, frothing at the mouth, and sometimes paralysis.
The Chester County Health Department urges residents to report any strange sightings of raccoons and direct contact with them to officials at 610-344-6225.
Officials also urged the public to remain aware of their pets.
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