Rabid Raccoon Bites Man on ‘the Face and Hands’ After He Put Injured Animal in His Coat During Rescue

A man in Georgia is currently undergoing treatment for rabies after being bitten by an injured raccoon that he had attempted to rescue. The incident took place in Cherokee County, Georgia, and was shared by the Chattahoochee Nature Center Wildlife Rehabilitation (CNC) for educational purposes. The man had discovered the injured raccoon on a road in Cherokee County and decided to wrap it in his coat before driving over an hour to CNC with the animal held against his chest. Unfortunately, during the drive, the raccoon managed to free its head and bit the man on his face and hands.

The Wildlife Clinic at CNC was informed of the man’s situation by their camp director, who was preparing for activities with children during Thanksgiving break. Upon arrival at the center, the staff met the man in the parking lot with a kennel to secure the raccoon. CNC then convinced the man to seek treatment at a hospital while they dealt with the raccoon. An emergency call was made to Bells Ferry Veterinary Hospital, which euthanized the raccoon for testing by the Cherokee County Health Department.

Subsequent tests revealed that the raccoon had tested positive for rabies. According to CNC, wild animals in distress and pain do not vocalize like domestic pets, putting rescuers at risk. The center stressed the importance of contacting licensed rehabilitators for wildlife rescue and being truthful with information given. The man in this incident had not provided his full name and even gave a fake phone number to the hospital treating him, creating additional challenges in handling the situation effectively.

CNC emphasized the severity of rabies in humans, with a mortality rate of over 99% without treatment and the need for post-exposure vaccinations within 48-72 hours of exposure. The center highlighted the risks posed not only to the man but also to his family, CNC staff, volunteers, visitors, transportation personnel, and hospital staff involved. Despite the man’s good intentions, his actions inadvertently placed multiple individuals in danger due to the potential transmission of rabies.

Ultimately, Chattahoochee Nature Center Wildlife Rehabilitation urged the public to assess situations carefully before attempting to rescue wildlife without guidance. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of handling wildlife encounters with caution and following proper protocols to ensure the safety of both humans and animals. The center’s experience underscores the critical need for responsible and informed actions when engaging with wildlife to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future.