DEC retrieves raccoons from Norwich resident's home
NORWICH – The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) discovered a Norwich home had harbored raccoons and sold them to another home, where the new raccoon owner had been bitten, before executing a plan to retrieve the raccoons and test them for rabies.
According to DEC Press Office Representative Benning DeLaMater, on January 23 Environmental Conservation Officers (ECO) Brett Armstrong, Mary Grose, Matt Burdick, Andy Kostuk, and Lt. Will Burnell executed a search warrant in Norwich.
DeLaMater said Armstrong was investigating reports of individuals harboring raccoons as pets when he received information that raccoons were being held inside a Norwich home.
"The possession of live, wild raccoons is both a violation of state law and a health hazard, as raccoons are a rabies vector species," said DeLaMater. "Upon execution of the warrant, the ECOs found 13 people, including children, living in the house."
He said officers discovered evidence that several raccoons had been kept there, but were sold to another Norwich resident.
"Moving quickly, ECOs responded to the second location, where the two raccoons were voluntarily turned over," said DeLaMater. "The new owner reported they had been bitten by one of the raccoons."
ECOs recommended the person visit a doctor immediately, he said, and the Chenango County Department of Health determined whether any of the individuals exposed to the animals will be required to undergo the rabies vaccine series.
On Friday, DeLaMater said the animals were transported to a local veterinarian to be euthanized and tested for the rabies virus, and the test came back negative for rabies.
"Charges for harboring the animals are pending completion of the investigation and identification of additional suspects," he said. "DEC reminds New Yorkers that all wildlife should remain wild, and serious problems can arise when humans interfere with animals."
DeLaMater said charges are pending and the case remains under investigation.
According to DEC Press Office Representative Benning DeLaMater, on January 23 Environmental Conservation Officers (ECO) Brett Armstrong, Mary Grose, Matt Burdick, Andy Kostuk, and Lt. Will Burnell executed a search warrant in Norwich.
DeLaMater said Armstrong was investigating reports of individuals harboring raccoons as pets when he received information that raccoons were being held inside a Norwich home.
"The possession of live, wild raccoons is both a violation of state law and a health hazard, as raccoons are a rabies vector species," said DeLaMater. "Upon execution of the warrant, the ECOs found 13 people, including children, living in the house."
He said officers discovered evidence that several raccoons had been kept there, but were sold to another Norwich resident.
"Moving quickly, ECOs responded to the second location, where the two raccoons were voluntarily turned over," said DeLaMater. "The new owner reported they had been bitten by one of the raccoons."
ECOs recommended the person visit a doctor immediately, he said, and the Chenango County Department of Health determined whether any of the individuals exposed to the animals will be required to undergo the rabies vaccine series.
On Friday, DeLaMater said the animals were transported to a local veterinarian to be euthanized and tested for the rabies virus, and the test came back negative for rabies.
"Charges for harboring the animals are pending completion of the investigation and identification of additional suspects," he said. "DEC reminds New Yorkers that all wildlife should remain wild, and serious problems can arise when humans interfere with animals."
DeLaMater said charges are pending and the case remains under investigation.
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