Another Rabies Case in Ossining
Another rabies alert has been issued in Ossining. The Westchester County Department of Health has issued a rabies alert for anyone who might have had contact with a kitten found near the intersection of James and State streets on or before Saturday, Oct. 1.
The calico was about 3 to 4 months old with white, gray and orange markings and was confirmed rabid Wednesday by the health department. There were a reported five to six cats in the area where the kitten was found. The kitten had been clawing at the pavement and attacked an adult cat before a passerby caught the kitten in a laundry bag, placed it in a dog crate in her car and brought it to the SPCA in Briarcliff.
The health department used robo-calls to notify residents who live within a quarter-mile of the area where the kitten was found.
“When you see a stray or wild animal acting strangely, it’s best to avoid contact with the animal and alert local authorities to avoid possible exposure to rabies,” said Westchester County Health Commissioner Sherlita Amler, MD. “Luckily, the good Samaritan who brought the kitten in to be tested avoided exposure in this situation, but that isn’t always possible.’’
Last month the health department also issued a rabies alert in Ossining for a rabid skunk and in July a rabid woodchuck was found. Rabid animals have also been found in recent months in Mamaroneck, Scarsdale, or Katonah and in Yorktown.
“The good news is that no one that we know of was bitten or scratched by any of these rabid animals,” said Amler.
Rabies can be prevented by: avoiding contact with wildlife and stray animals, bat-proofing your residence, vaccinating your pets, keeping your dog on a leash, keeping your cat inside, and not providing food or harborage for wildlife, according to the health department website.
The Health Department asks that anyone who might have had contact with the rabid kitten call 914-813-5000.
Adam has worked in the local news industry for the past two decades in Westchester County and the broader Hudson Valley. Read more from Adam’s author bio here.