Local Area Sees Rise In Rabies Cases

FAIRFAX COUNTY, Va. (WUSA) -- One local Animal Control office has been busy. A man living on Lyrac Street in Oakton had been providing food to a group of wild cats.

He noticed one was very sick.

The cat tested positive for rabies, and because other cats came in contact with it, they will also have to be euthanized.

Its condition is much like that of the cat in Oakton. Over in McLean, the problem is raccoons.

Just yesterday, a raccoon attacked men in two neighborhoods. A 19-year-old man was bitten along one street, and his 12-year-old brother was chased.

Master Animal Control Officer Jennifer Milburn says they believe a different raccoon attacked two men on Buena Vista Avenue.

Two men were working on landscaping down the street. That's when the raccoon jumped out and attacked. It headed up the street and ended up in the family's back yard.

The family's two pet dogs ran to the back door as the raccoon approached.

Patti said, "So we watched him. He was sort of weaving and he wasn't acting right."

Luckily, the family was able to keep the raccoon from entering the house.

A few houses down, the raccoon was cornered and eventually shot by an officer.

Milburn wants everyone to be wary of wild animals who do things out of the norm. Like raccoons that come out in the day.

She says, "If the animals appear sick and overly aggresive then they need to contact authorities immediately."

Written by Lindsey Mastis
9NEWS NOW & wusa9.com