Health Officials Warn Residents About Rabid Raccoons

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) -- Aggressive raccoons have attacked a few residents within the past week, prompting concerns from city health officials that the animals could be infected with rabies.

In each reported attack, a raccoon ran toward it's victim -- one attack took place near the intersection of 4th Street and P Street and the other took place near 9th Street and P Street -- and attacked the pedestrian's dog.

Healthy raccoons rarely resort to attacking humans, preferring instead to avoid contact, but both victims in the case were bitten, according to Sacramento County Health Officer Glennah Trochet.

"That makes us very suspicious that it may have rabies," Trochet said.

Both victims were given preventative treatment through a series of shots; a painful process, but one that's a better alternative than risking infection with a disease that has a nearly 100-percent mortality rate in humans.

The incidents come on the heels of a skunk infestation of a downtown parking garage. Many of the skunks who were trapped tested positive for rabies, authorities said.

Health officials say efforts are now underway to trap the aggressive raccoons.