Tourist gets rabies shots after defending dog from raccoon

By MARY BROWNFIELD

Published: September 8, 2006

A VACATIONER suffered injuries and underwent rabies shots after a raccoon attacked her in the backyard of a rental house last week, according to Carmel police. Virginia Bodo was trying to protect her fully grown Bernese mountain dog from the raccoon, which had chased the dog across the yard.

The woman, a Southern California resident renting a home at Junipero and Eighth while on vacation, let her dog into the unlit backyard around 9:30 p.m. Sept. 1, according to the city’s animal control officer, Cindi Mitchell.

“Her dog went after something and then came running back to her,” she said, with a raccoon close behind. As they reached the house, the raccoon caught up with the large, thickly furred dog.

“Then the woman grabbed the raccoon and threw it off her dog,” Mitchell said.

At the same time, she yelled to other people inside the home for help, hoping to get herself and her dog safely indoors. But when one of them opened the back door, another dog entered the yard. Fearing a second attack was imminent, Bodo removed her shoe and threw it at the raccoon, which finally left.

“She was protecting the dogs,” Mitchell said.

Where they hide

Bodo sustained scratches and bites on her right wrist, according to Mitchell. She was treated at Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula and decided to undergo the series of shots necessary to prevent rabies. She received no stitches.

Bodo reported the incident to Carmel P.D. the following morning, and Mitchell examined the yard to see if raccoons were living on the property. She found no signs, such as a latrine or spaces where the creatures could hide.

“I let her know about lighting the yard and some of the other things she could do, but this wasn’t her home,” Mitchell said. “She’s aware now of the situation where we do have raccoons and foxes and other things that live here, and we have to be aware of our surroundings.”

Residents concerned about raccoons or other wildlife may contact Mitchell at Carmel P.D. at (831) 624-6403.

The SPCA of Monterey County’s wildlife center also provides assistance throughout the county, particularly regarding injured or orphaned animals, and advises property owners to “focus on eliminating the attraction, not the animal,” by sealing crawl spaces, keeping trash cans closed, feeding pets inside and lighting dark hiding spots. Any trapping must be done by a professional. The SPCA can be reached at (831) 373-2631.