Staff Report
A raccoon killed in the town of Springfield on Saturday is the first confirmed case of rabies in the county, an Otsego county health official said on Wednesday.
The animal had no contact with people or pets before it was killed, said county rabies coordinator Peggy Benjamin.
A person whose family witnessed the raccoon acting aggressively during the day killed it.
The family handled the situation well, Benjamin said, by going indoors and staying there until the animal could be killed.
The state Department of Environmental Conservation was called and sent the raccoon for testing, with the results being received from the state Department of Health lab on Tuesday, she said.
While this is the first reported case in Otsego County, Benjamin said that the county does not send an animal for testing unless a person is bitten or an unvaccinated pet is in contact.
Benjamin said some things people can do to protect themselves include:
- Making sure your pets are vaccinated for rabies.
- Teaching children not to approach unknown animals.
- If people see an unknown animal in the area, heading inside until it goes away.
- Not feeding pets outside because this attracts wildlife, and not feeding stray animals.
Otsego County will be having free rabies-vaccination clinics for area pets from 6 to 8 p.m. on the following days:
- Monday, Edmeston town barn.
- June 17, Unadilla Fire Department.
People should bring proof of prior vaccination to receive a three-year certificate.
For more information, call the Otsego County Health Department at 547-4230.
For more information on rabies, visit www.oneontanow.com/rabies.
