PRINCETON, N.J. (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) – A potentially rabid raccoon is believed to be behind attacks on a Princeton University student and a nearby resident over a 12-hour span Monday and Tuesday, town officials said as they searched for the critter, which was chirping and showing "no fear."
The wild attack spree began just before 8:45 p.m. Monday on the Princeton campus, where a student was attacked by a raccoon near the Dillon Gymnasium.
The student received post-exposure treatment, without which rabies is usually fatal.
According to officials, the raccoon was exhibiting behaviors often associated with rabies, including chirping, unprovoked aggression and "no fear" of humans.
Just hours after the first attack, and less than a mile away, a resident of Hibben Road encountered a raccoon sitting on their doormat at 6 a.m. Tuesday. The animal went after them, but they were able to escape without injury, officials said.
That person reported the same bizarre behavior in the raccoon.
Princeton's animal control officer is working with the university to locate and capture the raccoon or raccoons involved, officials said.
Rabies spreads from the bite of a rabid animal or when the animal's saliva contacts a person's mouth, eyes or an open sore. Symptoms in animals include staggering, restlessness and aggression.
Princeton Police asked anyone who sees a wild animal behaving oddly or aggressively to contact police dispatch at (609) 921-2100. Questions about suspected exposure of domestic animals should go to Animal Control at (609) 924-2728, which can be reached on weekdays.