GRANVILLE – According to the Granville Police Department’s Facebook Page on March 21, there were reports of a possible rabid raccoon in the vicinity of Sodom Street and Main Road.
Once responding to the scene, Granville Police officers came to the conclusion that the raccoon was lethargic and not concerned with any human beings that may be in the area. The raccoon was able to scurry away from the premise before any officer could find out if it was rabid or not.
Granville Police Lt. Rick Rindels said that there was a strong possibility that the raccoon could have been rabid. Rindels urges any residents that have bird feeders, to be cautious with them and monitor it, as the raccoons tend to be attracted to bird feeders.
“They’ll eat the droppings on the ground from the birds,” said Rindels. “It’s probably not a good idea right now to have the bird feeders out there.”
Southwick Animal Control has also been staying close to any possible raccoon incidents. On March 15, the Suffield Police Department put a post on their Facebook Page to help warn their residents that there were two reports of dogs being bitten by a rabid raccoon.
The Granville Police have responded to two reports of rabid raccoons. (WNG File Photo)
The incidents in Suffield took place near Copper Hill Road, Pike Road, and Lake View Drive, which are all near Congamond Lake close to the Southwick town line.
Currently, Southwick Animal Control Officer Tracy Root says that there have been no reports in Southwick about any rabid raccoons, but it is certainly something that residents need to pay close attention to.
“Everybody needs to stay vigilant that they are out there,” said Root.
Root also pointed out that if a raccoon does have rabies, they tend to be more aggressive, and in the spring, it is typically their breeding season.
“They’re more apt to challenge you if they have rabies,” said Root.
If anyone has a report of a possible rabid raccoon spotted in Granville, call the police department at 413-357-8585. Root also encourages anyone in Southwick to call Animal Control during their office hours on Monday thru Friday from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. If calling after those hours, contact the Southwick Police Department at 413-569-5348 or dial 911 if it is an urgent and dangerous situation.
