Dodson Mayor warns of possible rabid raccoon

Dodson Mayor Teresa Cole told the PCN that a town resident found a sickly raccoon in town last Tuesday afternoon.

She said that Manfred Jones found the animal near Bud Phillips’ home and a Phillips County Sheriff’s Under Sheriff Scott Peigneux arrived a short time after and exterminated the raccoon.

“We did send the animal’s head to the State to be tested,” Mayor Cole said. “But this is a reminder to all residents to have your pets vaccinated. Please keep your pets confined.”

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks said that raccoons are one of four wild animals considered to be primary carriers of rabies in the United States (the others are skunks, foxes, and coyotes.) There is also a public health concern with a roundworm that raccoons may carry and which can be transmitted to humans. Additionally, raccoons are hosts for leptospirosis and giardiasis, both of which pose a health concern for humans.

FWP said that usually, the best method for dealing with problem raccoons is some type of exclusion. Maintaining proper sanitation, and keeping garbage, refuse and other possible food sources cleaned up, are important deterrents. Removing and closing off possible shelter or den areas is also necessary.