The discovery and capture of a rabid raccoon in Hamilton has animal control staff working overtime dropping anti-rabies bait in ravines around the City. The CBC reports that authorities are having to review just how the province’s huge raccoon population should be treated. The discovery of the rabid racoon should not surprise anyone. The largely uncontrolled nature of raccoons is well known and not without frequent public complaint. This animal was diagnosed only after it engaged in a fight with two bull mastiffs in the back of an animal control truck. The owner of the dogs says she feels they may have to be put down because they are not up to date with rabies vaccinations. On Wednesday, Hamilton resident Paula Fancey’s two bull mastiffs broke free from her property and were picked up by animal services. Later, the raccoon was placed in the truck in its own cage.
“…Fancey said the raccoon got loose first, prompting one of her dogs, Mr. Satan, to break out of his cage and fight the raccoon. The dog’s mouth and tongue were cut in the fight. Ms. Fancey said the animal control officer recaptured the raccoon and put it in a cage next to their other dog, Lexus. Then the raccoon reached through the cage and bit her, she said. After speaking with her veterinarian, Fancey said she will likely have to euthanize both of her dogs”
This has been the first case of the raccoon rabies strain found in Ontario since 2005. The fox rabies strain hasn’t been detected in Ontario since 2010, while bat rabies remains in small pockets in the province. Unvaccinated dogs may catch virus from infected raccoons
