WATERTOWN, MASS. (WHDH) - Watertown police are warning residents after two people were attacked and injured by raccoons on Thursday.
One of the victims was Eric Muten, who said he was enjoying a coffee on a porch on Garfield Street when he was suddenly attacked by a raccoon.
“I was having a coffee and welcoming the day and the raccoon came right around the bush here … he just attacked my leg, bit my leg and ran off, it all took three seconds,” Muten told 7News. “I have to believe the raccoon has rabies because the raccoon is not behaving the way a normal raccoon behaves.”
In a post shared on the police department’s Facebook page, town officials say they responded to three incidents of raccoons acting aggressively toward humans Thursday, two of which resulted in injury. The other incidents occurred on Parker Street and near Charles River Road.
“If you see a raccoon, please take steps to avoid it,” the police department’s post read. “Raccoons are rarely aggressive toward humans but a female will defend her young. While normally most active at night, they will routinely come out in the daytime to forage.”
Police went on to remind residents to never feed raccoons and to be especially cautious when approaching garbage cans or places where food scraps can be found.
They also listed behaviors that might suggest a raccoon may have rabies, including a staggering gait, walking in circles, disorientation, being oblivious to noise or nearby movement, erratic wandering, discharged from the eyes or mouth, and aggressive behavior.
Residents who see a raccoon showing any of these signs are urged to call Watertown Police at (617) 972-6500 and report the animal and location. If you’re bitten, seek medical attention immediately and notify the Watertown Health Department at (617) 972-6446.
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