Community Corner

'Aggressive' Raccoon Sought by Park Rangers

Monmouth County officials ask visitors to be vigilant, as a raccoon bit one victim and scratched another at Thompson Park on Friday.

Monmouth County park rangers are still on the hunt for an “aggressive raccoon,” that may be rabid, as it reportedly bit one victim and scratched another at Thompson Park on Friday, a Monmouth County Parks System Facebook post said.

The raccoon sprung from high grass, scratching a 54-year-old Lincroft woman as she was walking on a trail at 6:30 p.m. Friday, the Asbury Park Press reported. The raccoon then bit a 27-year-old Peapack woman on the ankle at approximately 8:30 p.m.

Both victims reported the incidents, which occurred in the central portion of the park between the Old Orchard and Filly Run parking lots, to the county parks office, according to the Facebook post.

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The victims sought treatment on their own, the Asbury Park Press reported.

Park officials are advising residents to be vigilant, spokesperson Karen Livingstone said.

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“We want visitors to be careful when approaching any wild animal,” she said. “We have been looking very carefully but cannot find any sign of the raccoon.”

The Facebook post asks park visitors to exercise caution and keep children and pets close by.

The raccoon was described as gray and brown. If the animal gets captured and examined, park officials can then determine whether it is rabid.

“We just hope visitors will continue to enjoy the park,” Livingstone said.

Raccoon sightings can be reported to a park ranger or Middletown Police at 732-615-2100.

Have you seen any raccoons in Monmouth County parks? If so, tell us about it in the comments.


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