New Bedford Raccoon Tests Positive for Rabies

NEW BEDFORD (WBSM) — A racoon found in the area of New Bedford’s Buttonwood Park has tested positive for rabies.

The City of New Bedford announced Thursday afternoon that it the City Health Department and Animal Control had been notified by state health officials of the positive test.

As a result, the Health Department and Animal Control are encouraging all residents, especially those who keep pets outside, to ensure their pets’ rabies vaccinations are up to date.

Vaccinations can be done by your veterinarian, or through local pet stores such as Petco in Wareham and North Dartmouth and PetSmart in North Dartmouth.

In addition, New Bedford Animal Control will hold its annual Rabies Clinic on November 2 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Brooklawn Park. Vaccinations will be available for cats, dogs and ferrets at a cost of $15 per animal.

The rabid raccoon follows a story from Dartmouth last Saturday in which a woman was attacked in broad daylight by a rabid coyote.

READ MORE: Dartmouth Woman Attacked by Coyote and Treated for Rabies

Signs of rabies in an animal can include abnormal or aggressive behavior, lethargy, weakness or paralysis, self-mutilation, seizures, excessive saliva and difficulty breathing or swallowing.

If you encounter an animal that may be infected with rabies, officials say you should not approach the animal and call New Bedford Animal Control at (508) 991-6366.