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Scarsdale police were called to check out five reports of sick raccoons over the past week. Three of those sightings were reported Sunday.
It is not known if the animals were rabid. According to Caren Halbfinger of the Westchester County Health Department, that agency would only get involved if a suspect animal came in contact with a person. And in each case, the animal was gone by the time police officers reached the scene.
"Generally speaking ,there are rabid animals in Westchester, which is why the health department advises residents to avoid direct contact with wild or stray animals, even baby animals," Halbfinger said. "Parents should teach children not to touch unfamiliar animals and to tell an adult immediately if they have been bitten or scratched by an animal. Any physical contact with a wild or unfamiliar animal should be reported to a health-care provider."
Sunday's sightings came at 9:10 a.m. and 2:32 p.m. on Autereith Road, and 11:58 a.m. on Oakwood Place. Sightings were also reported Friday and Tuesday, Sept. 27.
According to Halbfinger, "All animal bites or contact with animals suspected of having rabies must be reported to the Westchester County Department of Health at 914-813-5000, 24 hours a day, to assess the need for rabies treatment."
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