Tests show raccoon that bit girl had rabies

The 12-year-old, injured at a Safety Harbor home, is getting shots to ward off the disease. It is the third case of rabies in the county this year.

By LEON M. TUCKER, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published November 5, 2002

SAFETY HARBOR -- A 12-year-old girl has been bitten by a rabid raccoon in the third case of rabies reported in Pinellas County this year.

Pinellas County Animal Services declined to release the victim's name or address, saying only that the bite occurred Wednesday on the porch of a home east of McMullen-Booth Road and south of State Road 580 in the Weatherstone and Huntington Trails area of Safety Harbor.

"An injured raccoon was trapped in a kitty litter box," said Kenny Mitchell, director of Veterinary Services at Animal Services. "She approached it and it bit her."

Mitchell said he did not know details about how the raccoon ended up on the enclosed porch of the girl's house, but officials with the Pinellas County Humane Society said the bite was likely the result of a rescue attempt.

"Somehow they caught it the night before and had it in some kind of a cage," said Rick Chaboudy, executive director of the Humane Society, which picked up the injured animal in the house after it bit the girl. "My understanding is the next morning they let it out to get some exercise and it bit her."

The animal was destroyed and later tested positive for rabies.

Animal services officials said the girl has since started receiving a series of six vaccinations that will continue over 28 days to eliminate the disease.

Rabies damages the human nervous system. It can be successfully treated with vaccinations if caught in the early stages. If left untreated, rabies is usually fatal.

Officials said the last wide-scale rabies outbreak in the area occurred in 1995 with 30 confirmed cases of rabies in -- among other animals -- cats, otters and a horse. The outbreak resulted in the treatment of 145 people.

To help ward off a repeat of such an outbreak, county officials plan to spread pellets containing rabies vaccine around Safety Harbor.

Should residents encounter the matchbox-size pellets, they are advised to leave them in place. However, if the pellets are found in areas frequented by children and pets, they can be thrown into deeper cover. Officials recommend that anyone who handles pellets wear gloves.

The first reported case of rabies this year involved a Tarpon Springs man bitten on the ankle after he mistook a rabid raccoon for the family cat. The second resulted from the discovery of a rabid raccoon in the yard of a Palm Harbor harbor resident.

Animal Services advises people against trying to befriend or feed wild animals, nor should they leave pet food outside at night. The food could attract raccoons or other wildlife.

"The big thing people do is they continue to feed them," said Mitchell. "Don't feed them and don't condition them to be close to people."

"People just need to use their heads to avoid bites," he said. "And that will make the difference."

Anyone seeking assistance from Pinellas County Animal Services can call (727) 582-2600.

-- Leon M. Tucker can be reached at (727) 445-4167 or tucker@sptimes.com .

Tips to avoid rabies:

Avoid wild animals.

Never feed wild animals.

Don't leave pet food outside.

If you suspect an animal is rabid, stay away from it and call Pinellas County Animal Services at (727) 582-2600.

If you are bitten by an animal, immediately wash the wound with soap and water and call 911.

© 2006 • All Rights Reserved • Tampa Bay Times
490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111

Contact the Times | Privacy Policy
Standard of Accuracy | Terms, Conditions & Copyright