Raccoon Found With Rabies in Middletown

Middletown, NJ - A raccoon found in the area of Flomar Ave and Leonardville Road has tested positive for rabies, prompting the Middletown Township Health Department to issue a rabies alert Tuesday.

The raccoon had contact with a dog on Dec. 24, which required the testing. The raccoon was captured by the Animal Control Officer that responded to the call, who was able to snare it with a rabies pole. The dog will be monitored for signs of rabies, a township spokeswoman told Patch.

The township just received confirmation Tuesday from a state lab that the raccoon did indeed have rabies, the spokeswoman said. This raccoon becomes the tenth animal with rabies found in 2015 in Middletown. A cat tested positive for the virus in November, as did 5 raccoons, 2 skunks and 1 fox earlier this year.

From the Middletown Health Department:

Residents should not be interacting with wildlife. If you come across a sick or injured animal, keep your distance and please contact Animal Control at 732-615-2097 immediately or contact the Police Department after hours and on weekends. Please make sure all domestic animals (dogs, cats, and livestock) are currently vaccinated with a Rabies shot. Do not let your pets run free off leash, even in the woods, to ensure they do not come in contact with wildlife that may be rabid. Remember, Rabies is a fatal disease. The best course of defense is the vaccination of your pets and not handling or interacting with wildlife.

In fact, the township is providing a free rabies vaccination clinic for dogs on January 23. The clinic will be held at the Croydon Hall Gym, 900 Leonardville Road in Leonardo from 9am-11am. Call 732-615-2097 for more information.