Photo: Courtesy of Mark, a Union Market Apartments resident
BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — Two Massachusetts towns reported aggressive raccoons were spotted near residential communities on Christmas.
Officials in the Town of Norfolk said they were alerted of a sick raccoon on Medway Street on Thursday morning, according to the Sun Chronicle.
Animal Control officers responded and captured the animal. They later confirmed it tested positive for rabies.
Meanwhile in Hopedale, the town administrators and police department released a joint statement regarding officers euthanizing of a raccoon as well.
The statement said Hopedale Police received multiple calls on Thursday morning about an aggressive raccoon near a populated residential area that attacked an individual. The reports described the animal to be “disoriented, wobbling and acting erratically.”
Read more: Watertown Residents Warned Of Aggressive Raccoon, After Woman Is Attacked
The officers said the behavior resembled symptoms of rabies recognized by public health authorities, which “posed an immediate threat and ongoing risk to public health and safety.”
"Officers therefore employed the safest available method under the circumstances to euthanize the animal and eliminate the threat,” the statement said, adding that the response was lawful and necessary under Massachusetts law and public health guidelines.
However, this incident did prompt backlash from residents.
"The town unequivocally supports the officer and the police department in carrying out their duties to protect the community and prevent serious harm,” the statement said, adding that resident safety remains the town’s top priority.
Earlier this month, Watertown officials also reported a raccoon attack near the area of 140 Arsenal Street near Union Market Apartments.
