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The attack happened around 8 a.m., Thursday, Dec. 5, in Fairfield County when the mother was dropping off her son at the bus stop on Georgetown Road in Weston, said Weston Animal Control Officer Mark Harper.
According to Harper, the child got out of the vehicle and was putting on his coat when the "vicious, crazed animal" came out of nowhere and began attacking his legs.
The child began screaming, causing the mother to get out of the vehicle to see what was happening, he said.
When she saw the animal attacking the child, she immediately began hitting the animal to get it off her son and then the animal turned on her, Harper said.
The mother was severely attacked on her fingers, arms, and torso, he added.
After the attack, the raccoon ran across the street and through a yard to a swampy area, he said.
The mother and child were transported to Norwalk Hospital for treatment.
“The poor kid was scared to death,” Harper said.
Because of recent snow, Harper was able to track down the raccoon by following its tracks through the snow. But he couldn't get to it in the swampy area.
A few hours later, a neighbor called to say the raccoon was in their yard. Harper returned to the scene, and before he knew it the raccoon was attacking his "size 12 boot," which he said he sent it "flying" with.
Harper then euthanized the raccoon and sent its remains to the state for testing, which came back positive for rabies.
He said he had not seen such a vicious rabid animal in at least 15 years.
"The mother is the real hero," Harper said. "She was really attacked but kept fighting to save her child."
The mother and son have a couple of shots left, Harper said. The shots are given in the arm and include four injections over a 14-day period.
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