A resident called the North Bergen Health Department on Sept. 12 to report a raccoon just blocks from Franklin School that was acting sick that afternoon. As it turned out, the animal carried rabies, a virus that could have killed any child who got bitten.
People who contract the disease must get treatment immediately. The virus causes inflammation of the brain. Once people start showing symptoms, there is no way to stop eventual death.
On Sept. 12 at around 3:30 p.m., Health Director Richard Censullo received an emergency call on his cell phone after leaving his office. A resident told Censullo about a raccoon near 48th Street and Cottage Avenue. Raccoons usually come out at only night, an indication that something was wrong.
Censullo immediately went to the location, a few blocks from the school.
“The animal appeared to be dazed, it was acting like it was drunk,” said Censullo.
The time of the day could not have been worse, as children were walking home from school.
SAFETY FIRST – North Bergen Health Director
Rich Censullo captured a rabid raccoon that posed
a threat to children coming home from school.
Safe Havens, International
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