The Chautauqua County Department of Health and Human Services has confirmed the first report of a rabid animal this year in the county. Officials say a youth turkey hunter was attacked by a raccoon on Sunday while hunting turkey near Open Meadows Road in the Town of North Harmony. The raccoon latched onto the youth's jacket, biting through the jacket and inflicting a bite. The boy, who was accompanied by his father, was able to fling the raccoon clear, allowing the father time to shoot the raccoon. County Director of Environmental Health Services Director Mark Stow says raccoons are by far the animal most likely to be rabid in New York State, and the incident should serve as a reminder that animal rabies is a serious public health concern and continues to be present in the county.
