Rabid animal found in Colonia, fourth this year

WOODBRIDGE - A raccoon that was caught in the vicinity of North Hill Road in Colonia tested positive for rabies by the state Department of Health last week.

The Woodbridge Township Animal Control recovered the carcass of the raccoon on May 3. The carcass was provided to the state Department of Health Forensic Laboratory for testing. The Woodbridge Health Department received the positive test results on May 8.

Dennis Green, director of health at the township Department of Health and Human Services, said the Animal Control officers responded to the North Hill Road area after receiving reports of an animal acting unusual and sick.

"The investigation by Animal Control did not uncover any information or indication that the diseased animal had contact with humans or domestic pets," said Green.

This has been the fourth case of a rabid animal in the township in less than a year.

A skunk that tested positive for rabies was caught on April 24 in the vicinity of Rahway Avenue and Kings Court. A raccoon was tested positive for rabies on March 21 in the vicinity of Hillcrest Avenue in Iselin, and another raccoon that tested positive for rabies was caught on July 20, 2006, on Gill Lane in Iselin.

- Kathy Chang