Instagramming teens bitten by raccoon in front of school

This young raccoon, wrapped around a stop sign post Friday around noon, bit two Manchester teens and was turned over to the health department to be tested for rabies. Photo courtesy of Michelle Gregory.

Last Friday was a half day and the last day of the school year, dismissing just before noon. In the midst of the raucous end of the school year dismissal at Klager Elementary, an unusual incident occurred. Jennifer Mayes, principal of Klager Elementary School, explained a group of Middle School and High School students were walking by the elementary school on the sidewalk along M-52 and came across a young raccoon. Mayes states, “it was reported that the students gathered around the small animal and began taking pictures. The raccoon, whether scared or sick, approached the group and bit two of the students.” The incident was reported to the Klager office, parents were notified, and 911 was called. Two officers in addition to animal control were called but a parent had already secured it by the time they had arrived.

Michelle Gregory, a Klager parent, noticed the raccoon with kids around it as she was pulling out of the parking lot heading into the village to drop off a carpooling student. As she drove back by heading out of town, she saw two students and one of the school secretaries, Regina Hopkins, still standing by the raccoon. Gregory explained what happened next: “I thought, someone is going to get bitten if he isn’t secured and the raccoon looked really tired, so I pulled into the church parking lot. I asked if Animal Services were called. They said they called 911 and the police were going to be on their way.” She also found out two of the students had been bitten. “Then remembered I had a canvas shopping bag and ski gloves in the car,” she stated, “So I put them on and Mrs. Hopkins and I wrangled him into the bag. And I tied it shut … leaving a air hole for him. I put him in the shade, so he would be cool. And went on with my day.” The raccoon was turned over to the Washtenaw County Health Department.

Mayes reported, “The injuries appear to be superficial and we are hopeful that nothing serious develops as a result of the bites.” The Washtenaw County Health Department stated that they have been in contact with the affected individuals and should have the rabies test back by the middle of next week which would give enough time to get the individuals post exposure vaccinations if the animal does have rabies. They also emphasized that there has never been a raccoon identified with rabies in Michigan.

While raccoons are the most common carriers of rabies along the East coast of the United States, in Michigan, rabies is most commonly found in bats, and less commonly in skunks, foxes and domesticated animals. In Washtenaw County, since 2006, 34 bats, 8 skunks and 1 horse have tested positive for rabies. This year so far, the county health department has tested 33 animals for rabies, 23 of which were bats, and so far 2, both of which were bats, have tested positive. 

All animal bites and exposures to bats should be reported to Washtenaw County Health Department. Call the Washtenaw County Health Department at 734-544-6700. They also recommend that if you find a bat in your house, don’t let it go until without talking to them. They provide case-by-case consultation regarding the need for post-exposure rabies vaccine. The Health Department also coordinates rabies testing for animals.

Mayes stated in a letter home to families Friday afternoon, explaining what had occurred, “Please take a moment and talk with your child(ren) about the importance of keeping their distance from wild animals. While some may appear ‘cute,’ they are inherently still wild. They should be especially cautious of animals that are typically nocturnal but are out during the day.”

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by Sara Swanson

Sara Swanson is an editor, writer and founder of the Manchester Mirror.