MONMOUTH — A raccoon that went into a Main Street home and killed a cat on Sunday tested positive for rabies, according to police.
A woman in her 60s heard “a lot of racket” downstairs in her two-story home on Main Street about 4 p.m. Sunday, Monmouth Police Chief Kevin Mulherin said on Wednesday.
When the woman went downstairs to investigate, she discovered a raccoon attacking her cat in the living room. It apparently came in through a pet door.
“She grabbed the phone and went into the bathroom, shut the door and called us,” Mulherin said.
Monmouth police Officers Mark Parshall and Mike Mayer as well as Animal Control Officer Mike Costello went to the home.
“When they arrived, the raccoon had already killed the cat,” said Mulherin. “They cornered the raccoon and Tasered it. It rolled out the door.”
Once outside, police shot and killed the raccoon, he said.
The woman was uninjured, but very upset, said Mulherin. Monmouth Rescue was called to evaluate her.
The home was cleaned of any rabies contaminants, according to Mulherin.
Tests revealed on Wednesday that the raccoon had rabies. Mulherin said it is the first reported case of rabies in Monmouth. However, a skunk in neighboring Leeds tested positive for rabies earlier this month.
“We’re advising that if anyone sees an animal acting peculiar, don’t hesitate to call us,” said Mulherin.
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