A distraught mother happened upon her infant son being attacked by a raccoon that had sneaked into their Idaho home and managed to fend for himself. an unexpected holiday guest.
The mother called the Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG) and the Cassia County Sheriff's Office on Dec. 23 after hearing “a lot of noise in the house” and finding a raccoon attacking her baby boy, Idaho Fish and Game participate in the release.
Authorities say the mother was able to catch the furry terrorist to save her son.
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Idaho Fish and Game says a wild raccoon snuck into the house and attacked the baby. (Idaho Fish and Game)
The baby was taken to Cassia Hospital in Burley for undisclosed injuries before being taken to hospital Salt Lake City.
According to authorities, a sheriff's deputy returned to the home with the baby's father, found the animal and killed it.
IDFG noted that it was unclear how the raccoon entered the home and that there were no other raccoons inside.
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The animal's carcass has since been tested for rabies by the Idaho Bureau of Laboratories, and the tests were negative, the release said.
“As soon as Magic Valley County staff were notified of the incident, they activated their Human Wildlife Attack Response Team,” IDFG wrote. “This team of specially trained personnel is responsible for working to protect the safety of the public and emergency responders; to try to identify, locate and control the animals involved. the phenomenon of humans and wild animals; and conducting, documenting and reporting research findings.”
Rabies is a preventable viral disease of mammals that is usually transmitted to humans through the bite of a rabid animal. (iStock)
The agency noted that raccoon attacks on humans in the state are “extremely rare” and there has been only one case of rabies. written in Idaho.
The IDFG has instructed Idahoans to “never knowingly feed a raccoon,” saying they usually avoid people unless they feel “threatened.”
As with all wildlife found in Idaho homes, the best way to avoid coming into contact with a raccoon is to take preventative measures before a problem starts. “Raccoons can live in different places, but a place with water and food will attract them.
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“A homeowner can reduce food sources by keeping residential trash, removing fallen fruit or rotting produce from your yard or yard, feeding pets indoors, keeping pet food fresh safely, and to remove or store bird food,” IDFG added. “Preventing raccoons from entering shelters in homes and outbuildings and closing potential doors and exits from and around the home will prevent raccoon use.”
Fox News Digital has reached out to IDFG for comment.