AMHERST — Amherst officials are reminding residents of the dangers of wildlife foraging for food and raising their young following an incident in which an aggressive raccoon bit a woman’s finger as she was walking on a trail near Puffer’s Pond early in the afternoon of May 17.
A woman reported to Amherst Police that a raccoon scratched and chomped at her without being provoked. Amherst and State Environmental Police officers and Animal Welfare Officer Carol Hepburn searched for the animal for several hours, but were unable to locate it.
The Amherst Health Department is advising people to use caution when walking in the woods, with raccoons posing particular dangers because of rabies and other diseases they can carry. Hepburn said adult animals are protective of their dens and will attempt to keep humans away.
Anyone who observes a wild animal acting in an erratic manner should call Hepburn, the animal welfare officer, at 478-7084 or Amherst Police at 259-3000.
Scott Merzbach can be reached at smerzbach@gazettenet.com.