On November 29, 2015 Spring Lake Police received reports of a raccoon acting strangely in the 100 block of Worthington Avenue.  Officers were dispatched as well as the  Monmouth County Humane Society.  The raccon was located and was not affraid and aggressive toward the officers. Officers were unable to capture the raccoon.  A trap was set in an attempt to check the animal.

A raccoon with similar symptoms was captured in that same area and tested positive for rabies in October of this year. 

Residents are urged to take extra precautions while spending time outdoors. Any animal related concerns that a resident may have should be forwarded to the Associated Humane Society (732-922-0100) & the Spring Lake Police Department (732-449-1234) as soon as possible.

How to recognize potentially rabid wildlife:

 • Difficulty walking – fully or partially paralyzed hind legs, or walking in circles. 

• Looks confused, disoriented, slow. A healthy raccoon will be doing something purposeful, and it’ll look alert.

• Makes crazy noises – most healthy raccoons chatter to each other, or make a real racket when fighting or mating, but usually when they’re foraging about, they aren’t making crazy noises.

• Foaming at the mouth – if you’re close enough to see this, get away!

• Just plain looks sick – shouldn’t be too hard to tell. Raccoons can contract a variety of diseases, including distemper, but in no cases should you risk contact with a raccoon.

Contact the police department (732-449-1234) immediately if you recognize these signs.

Here are some behaviors exhibited by BOTH healthy and rabid raccoons:

• Out during the daytime – totally normal. However, still exercise caution.

• No fear of humans – raccoons have become urban animals like squirrels. Many healthy raccoons have zero fear of people.