A Florida man was bitten and scratched by a rabid otter. Authorities said that the animal attack happened last Wednesday, Sept. 20.
They added that he was attacked by the rabies-infested otter while feeding dicks in a pond located in Jupiter town.
Florida: Rabid Otter Bites, Scratches Man While He Feeds Ducks
Otters squeak at visitors from their enclosure at the Berlin Zoo on January 1, 2018. - Tourists and locals flocked to the zoo in the German capital on the unseasonably warm first day of the year.
According to Fox News' latest report, the 74-year-old man was bitten by a 3-year-old make otter. The Florida Department of Health said that the wild animal also bit a dog on the same day.
As of writing, the status of the canine is unknown. But, the otter was confirmed to be infected with rabies, as stated by a veterinarian who checked the animal.
Authorities said that they were called to the scene and found the otter in a driveway, under a recycle bin. They captured the wild animal and conducted tests to see if it had rabies.
Unfortunately, the otter tested positive. Because of this, the vet had to euthanize the animal.
Joseph Scaglione talked to the officials regarding the incident, saying that he was feeding ducks before the otter attacked him.
The Florida man added that he heard the sound of ducks flying away when he was about to return to his residence. After that, the rabid otter bit him.
The Palm Beach County Animal Care & Control said that Joseph tried to avoid the animal by slowly walking away while facing the otter. But, the rabid otter still went for the attack after a few minutes.
The organization added that Scaglione suffered from bites and scratches on both of his legs and arms.
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What to Know About Rabies
One of three young oriental small-clawed otters eats a meatball on June 18, 2015 in a zoo in Dresden, eastern Germany. The oriental small-clawed otter female Fussi gave birth to 3 healthy pups. Its pups now leave their burrow to explore the environment.
Since rabies is a very deadly viral disease, the Floridian resident quickly received medical care. The Florida Department of Health warned that rabies can be fatal to humans and other warm-blooded animals.
CDC explained that it is hard to determine if animals are infected with rabies just by looking at them. The only way to do this is through laboratory tests.
But, rabid animals usually act strangely. They can be super aggressive and try to bite anything they see moving. Aside from this, they also drool and have their mouths foaming.
However, there are some instances when rabid wild animals act timid or tamed. They will let you get close to them, and then they attack.
To help you avoid rabid animals, here are other signs you can look for:
- An animal that's having trouble moving or may even be paralyzed
- General sickness
- An animal that bites at imaginary objects (sometimes called "fly biting")
- Problems swallowing
- An animal that appears tamer than you would expect
- A bat that is on the ground
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