Rabies alert in Boston after 5 raccoons test positive
BOSTON - Animal control officers are warning residents and pet owners in Boston about rabies after a fifth rabid raccoon was found in the city.
The raccoon was found last week near Hillside Avenue in Mission Hill. Three others were picked up in Jamaica Plain and another in Roslindale.
Rabies is transmitted to humans through contact with an infected animal from a bite or scratch. So far, no reports of human rabies have been confirmed related to the raccoons. To keep yourself safe, Boston Animal Control said to avoid any wildlife behaving strangely, supervise pets when they're outdoors and seek immediate help if you or your pet is bit or scratched by a wild animal. They also say don't touch or feed any wild animals.
Two free rabies vaccination clinics for pets will be held next month.
One will be held at the BCYF Curtis Hall Community Center on Sept. 16 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and another at the BCYF Tobin Community Center on September 30 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
For more information about rabies, visit boston.gov/rabies.
