Child Bitten by Raccoon in Ashford, CT

An alarming incident in Ashford, Connecticut, saw a young girl attacked by a raccoon while preparing to leave for school. The event highlights concerns over wildlife interactions in suburban areas, causing local residents to express unease about animal safety.

Key Points / What’s New

• A 5-year-old girl was bitten by a raccoon on Fitts Road.
• The child and her mother sustained injuries before the animal was removed.
• Animal control is actively searching for the raccoon, although it has not been located.
• The family is taking precautions to prevent future incidents.

Main Story Details

The incident occurred around 7:55 a.m. as Rylee MacNamara, 5, attempted to board her bus for school. Rylee recounted her terrifying experience, stating that the raccoon “tried to attack” her and clung to her leg. Her mother, Logan, quickly intervened, managing to pull the animal off and calling for help.

Logan described the moment as shocking, initially thinking her daughter had accidentally hurt herself. Once she realized a raccoon was involved, panic set in, and she warned neighbors about the potential danger, exclaiming, “It’s a rabid raccoon, get some help!” After being thrown off, the raccoon fled into nearby woods.

Both Rylee and Logan were taken to the hospital to receive rabies vaccinations; they returned home a few hours later. Logan expressed her fear during the ordeal, stating, “We just kind of panicked at first. I was more scared than anything.” They plan to visit the hospital again every few days for follow-up shots.

Community Reaction

The incident has raised alarms among local residents. Neighbor Jessica Gessay expressed her fears about the wildlife in the area, remarking, “These woods around here… I fear them. There’s things out here.” Another community member, Dave Frank, echoed her concerns, noting it was unsettling that such an animal would be near homes.

Following the attack, animal control officials combed through the woods in search of the raccoon but reported that it had not yet been found. The MacNamara family is contemplating setting traps around their home to deter any future wildlife encounters.

Background

There is currently no confirmation about whether the raccoon was rabid. The community of Ashford has expressed growing concern regarding wildlife encounters in residential areas, as incidents involving aggressive animals can pose potential health risks to families, particularly young children.