JAY — A raccoon tested positive for rabies after it attacked a pet cat resting on a deck Sunday at a residence on Spruce Mountain Road, Jay Animal Control Office Larry Wright said Wednesday.
It is the first case of rabies in Jay that Wright has seen this year, he said.
The raccoon, which was euthanized, was handled by the Maine Warden Service and taken to the state laboratory for testing in Augusta.
A representative of the lab called Wright Monday to tell him that the raccoon had rabies.
The cat is under quarantine for six months or it needs to be euthanized because it did not have a rabies vaccination, Wright said.
If the cat had been vaccinated, it would only have to be quarantined up to 45 days, he said.
“It is important for people to be aware and make sure their animals are vaccinated,” Wright said.
If people see wildlife acting strange, they should call the Maine Warden Service, animal control officer or local police department to report it, Wright said.
dperry@sunjournal.com
Send questions/comments to the editors.
