Rabies Concerns After Man, 76, Attacked By Raccoon In Boonton Township Park
BOONTON TOWNSHIP, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- A raccoon attacked a 76-year-old man in Boonton Township, New Jersey this week, and there were concerns Wednesday that the animal may have rabies.
As CBS2's Scott Rapoport reported, nerves were frayed in Tourne County Park after they learned of the attack. The area where the attack happened is heavily wooded, but people from the area said animal attacks are not very common and are actually quite unusual.
"Oh boy, that's not good," said Dave Sidener of West Orange.
Park police said it happened around 8 a.m. Tuesday. The man was walking alone on an area known as the White Trail when the raccoon appeared, and bit the man in the thumb and lower leg in what police said was an unprovoked attack.
The raccoon then ran away.
"That's really scary, because we bought, you know, our family here to go hiking," said Rebecca Gerardi of Little Falls, "and that's a scary thought thinking that now we're with young kids and it could happen to us."
Police said because of the nature of the attack, they suspect the raccoon could be rabid. The victim was taken to a local hospital and treated for rabies.
"It's concerning," Sidener said. "I haven't heard of any cases of rabies in the area."
Late Wednesday afternoon, Morris County Park police said since the overnight hours Tuesday into Wednesday, they had trapped and captured four raccoons and that one of them could be the one that attacked the 76-year-old man.
All of them have been sent for testing and the results will be available this coming Friday.
After closing the park for parts of Tuesday and early Wednesday, the park had reopened late Wednesday afternoon.
Families who were seen hiking here in the park said they were being extra careful.
"I did tell the children if they do see a raccoon, not to go anywhere near it," said Fiona Green.
Park police advised park goers to be aware of their surroundings, to steer clear of animals that are nocturnal or acting in an usual manner, to leave the area if such animals are seen. Park goers are also advised to keep their dogs on leashes to prevent an incident with an animal in the park.
