Kiwanis Park Closed, Raccoons Biting Visitors
Kiwanis Park in Florida has been closed due to a recent outbreak of raccoon bites. At least three people, including a child, have been bitten, causing authorities to open an investigation into the animals' behavior.
"I was like a wreck, and I was screaming and yelling," Nadine Kern told WESH Orlando news. She was bitten on both legs by a raccoon while having a snack at Kiwanis Park. "I was like 'there's a raccoon biting me, there's a raccoon biting me,'" she explained.
"Then [officials] came over, and I don't know how they got him off of me, and then they said, 'We need to get you out of here because there was a lot of blood,'" Kern said. She was taken to the hospital and given a rabies shot as a precaution, since raccoons can often carry the disease.
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A 6-year-old girl was also the victim of a raccoon attack while playing in the park.
"She got tore up on the side and stomach and arms, and her grandmother got bitten 15 times," trapper James Dean told WESH. He is helping the park corral the animals as part of a safety initiative.
"You just never really know," he said. "I'm sure there are more of them here, and I will keep trapping them to make sure we get the ones that attacked the people here."
To date, 12 raccoons have been captured. All those who were bitten have received rabies vaccines as a precaution and are awaiting their results. Kiwanis Park reopened yesterday morning, with Parks Director Jack Masson stating that it is now safe for people to return.
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife advises anyone who is bitten or scratched by a raccoon to "immediately scrub the wound with soap and water. Contact your physician and the local health department immediately."
