CLINTON — A raccoon has tested positive for rabies, and town officials are asking residents to be cautious.

The rabid raccoon was killed last week by police, according to Chief Craig Johnson.

Johnson said police learned of the raccoon when a resident of River Road called police to say that a raccoon was standing outside his doorway and wouldn’t let him leave the house. Officer Scott Richards arrived, determined the raccoon was acting aggressively and shot it.

The raccoon was taken to the state laboratory where it tested positive for rabies, according to a news release from Town Manager Aaron Chrostowsky.

At least two other animals  — a skunk and a fox — displayed unusual behavior in Clinton last week, according to the release.

All residents should take precautions to protect themselves from rabies. Avoid contact with wild animals, and make sure pets are vaccinated against rabies,” the release states.

Signs and symptoms of rabies include behavior changes — such as withdrawal or aggression, excessive drooling, foaming at the mouth, dilated pupils, vacant stare, muscle tremors, a throaty bark, and varying degrees of paralysis, according to the release.

Rabies cases this year in Kennebec County have already surpassed last year’s total, according to data from the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention. As of May 5, there were seven confirmed cases in 2012 in the county. Last year, there were five.


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