Middletown Rabies Alert #10

From Middletown Alerts:

(Don't be fooled by cute wild animals)

The Middletown Township Health Department has received laboratory confirmation of another raccoon testing positive for rabies, bringing the total of animal testing positive this year to 11. This latest incident happened in the area of Pate Drive.

Over the past few months, the township Health Department has found and reported 10 raccoons and one fox that have tested positive for Rabies. The previous locations of the animals were:

• Locust Point Road
• Pineridge Avenue
• Walnut Avenue between Pine Street and Chestnut Street
• 900 Leonardville Road, Croydon Hall Complex
• Route 35 between Kanes Lane and Kings Highway East
• Red Hill Road between Dwight Road and Deepdale Drive
• Michael Drive off of Nutswamp Rd
• Ueland Road off of Nutswamp Road
• Essex Street off of Bray Ave
• Clay Court off of Hartshorne Road

The township would like to alert residents about the dangers of interacting with any wildlife. Rabies can be found in many animals. The Health Department would like to take this opportunity to remind everyone to keep their distance from all wildlife, ill appearing or not, and to also keep an eye on pets around these animals. Do not let dogs or cats run free where they may become in contact with wildlife. All dogs and cats must be licensed in Middletown, which requires that they all have current rabies vaccinations.

If you come across a sick or injured animal, keep your distance and please contact Animal Control at 732-615-2097 immediately or contact the Police Department after hours and on weekends. Remember, Rabies is a fatal disease. The best course of defense is the vaccination of your pets and not handling or interacting with wildlife.