For Immediate Release

Friday, Dec. 15, 2017

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net

Andover Police Respond After Woman Bitten by Rabid Raccoon

ANDOVER — Chief Patrick Keefe reports that the Andover Police Department responded yesterday morning after a woman was bitten by a raccoon that later tested positive for rabies.

At approximately 10 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 14, Andover Police were dispatched to the area of the Richdale convenience store on Railroad Street for a report that a woman had been bitten by an animal. Upon arrival, officers located a 75-year-old Andover woman who stated that a raccoon had bitten her in her lower left leg.

Responding officers noted that the raccoon was extraordinarily aggressive prior to being captured with the help of the animal control officer. The raccoon was subsequently taken to an animal hospital and euthanized. The animal ultimately tested positive for rabies.

The woman suffered non-life threatening injuries as a result of the bite and sought medical attention. She was later treated and released and is expected to make a full recovery.

“I commend our officers for confronting an aggressive animal and helping prevent it from harming anyone else,” Chief Keefe said. “We have no reason to believe there have been other exposures, but we want the public to be aware of the incident and ask that they call us if they see an animal that they believe may be sick.”

The Andover Health Department wishes to remind residents to keep a close eye on their pets, and speak with a vet if an outdoor pet appears to have any kind of unexplained injury.

Residents should call Andover Police at 978-475-0411 if they see any animals who appear to be acting aggressively.

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