(Getty Images)
GROVELAND, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — Groveland Police are alerting the public after a raccoon was found to have tested positive for rabies this week.
The department said on their website that they responded to reports of a sick-looking raccoon around 6:21 p.m. on Monday.
Officers captured the raccoon and turned it over to the state's Department of Public Health, which confirmed Wednesday that the raccoon was rabid.
The resident who reported the raccoon's dogs came into contact with the raccoon and were placed into quarantine, but Groveland Police said they don't appear to be rabid.
"The raccoon was humanely euthanized," Groveland Police said.
Police don't think there's any larger danger to the community, but took the opportunity to remind the public what they can do to keep safe regarding rabid animals.
"Residents should report any encounters with wild animals they think may be of concern, and should never attempt to capture the animal themselves," Groveland Police Chief Jeffrey Gillen said in a release.
Gillen reminded the public to make sure pets are vaccinated against rabies, to keep pets in a fenced-in yard and not let them roam freely, and to teach children not to approach wild animals they aren't familiar with.
For more information on rabies protections, here's a fact sheet from Mass.gov.
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