CHARLEMONT — Franklin County Regional Animal Control announced Thursday that a raccoon in town tested positive for rabies.
The animal was found on Aug. 24 by a resident who resided in the area of Hicks Road and Maxwell Road in Charlemont, according to a press release from Lead Regional Animal Control Officer Kyle Dragon. The resident told animal control that the raccoon had been acting unnaturally toward him and his dog.
Based on the information provided by the resident, the raccoon was captured and submitted to the state laboratory for testing. Two days later, the test results came back positive for rabies.
When asked how frequent rabies cases are in Franklin County, Cooperative Public Health Service Program Manager and Regional Health Agent Randy Crochier said, “It is not overly frequent. We see at least one per year in the 12 towns I serve.”
Franklin County Regional Animal Control urges everyone to “make sure your pets are up to date with their rabies vaccines. If you are in doubt, please check with your veterinarian,” the release states.
Residents are advised not to approach wildlife, especially if an animal is acting in a sickly or aggressive fashion. When people locate an animal acting strangely, they can call the Shelburne Control Dispatch Center at 413-625-8200.
Bella Levavi can be reached at 413-930-4579 or blevavi@recorder.com.