HomeMy Public PortalAboutADVISORY Aggressive RaccoonsADVISORY:
Three incidents of raccoon(s) being aggressive with humans have occurred in
Watertown on Thursday May 31, 2018, two resulting in injury.
If you see a raccoon, please take steps to avoid it. Raccoons are rarely aggressive
toward humans but a female will defend her young. While normally most active at night,
they will routinely come out in the daytime to forage.
Never feed raccoons and be especially cautious when approaching any garbage can or
areas where food or scraps can be found.
Raccoons, along with foxes, skunks and bats are considered primary carriers of the
rabies virus. Some behaviors of raccoons with rabies are:
• Staggering gait, walking in circles, disorientation
• Seemingly oblivious to noise or nearby movement
• Erratic wandering
• Discharge from eyes or mouth
• Aggressive behavior, attacking for no reason
If you see a raccoon showing any of these signs call Watertown Police at (617) 972-
6500 and report the animal and location. If you come in contact with a raccoon or other
rabies vector species or if you are bitten, please seek medical attention immediately and
notify the Watertown Health Department at (617) 972-6446.