Health officials are warning local residents after a confirmed rabid animal was spotted near a number of local businesses and homes.

The Dutchess County Department of Behavioral & Community Health has issued a Health Advisory regarding a rabid raccoon that was captured in the Village of Tivoli near the intersection of Broadway and Montgomery Street.

If left untreated, rabies is fatal in humans, officials say.

Don't approach non-domesticated animals, officials warn. If you see an animal acting strangely, or if you, your pet, or someone you know gets bitten by, or has an open wound exposed to the saliva or nervous tissue of a domestic or wild animal, call the Dutchess County Department of Behavioral & Community Health.

The Dutchess County Department of Behavioral & Community Health is available to respond to inquiries or concerns regarding potential rabies exposure(s) to people or domestic animals. You can call (845)-486-3404 or (845)-431-6465 during nights, weekends and holidays. Staff will investigate and advise you of any necessary steps you should take to ensure your safety.

“If a pet is not up-to-date on its rabies vaccination and fights with a rabid or suspect-rabid animal, the pet must be promptly destroyed or placed in quarantine for six months to protect other animals and people in case the pet develops rabies. These mandates are not required for a vaccinated pet in the same situation. In such cases, only a booster dose of rabies vaccine would be given within five days to treat the pet," BCH Commissioner A. K. Vaidian said.

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