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Rabid Raccoon

I live in Baltimore City.  Stores are convenient, the library is at the end of my street, as is the Post Office, the local store, a Starbucks, three banks, a neat bookstore for kids…  city stuff and all within walking distance from my front door.  Who would think I would have to worry about rabid animals???  Last week a raccoon was spotted one block from my house, in the middle of the day and the classic signs of illness abounded–disoriented, aggressive behavior, stumbling…. a call to 911 brought Animal Control and the raccoon was captured.  It was rabid.  This was the third rabid animal in or around my neighborhood in 14 years.  Not a huge number, but they are only the ones I know about!  I wasn’t so much afraid for my dogs since they are both current on their shots, but I was very concerned for the humans, especially the kids in the neighborhood.  Suffice to say, a lot of parent/kid discussions ensued to be sure the kids knew how to handle themselves should they come on a sick or dead animal in the woods and fields around our neighborhood.  SCARY stuff.