POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) — An 86-year-old Pocatello man was injured Tuesday after a raccoon attacked him while he was retrieving his mail, according to Idaho Fish and Game.
The ordeal happened Sept. 22 when neighbors reported a raccoon roaming a Pocatello cul-de-sac during the day and “acting strangely. They said the animal appeared lethargic and didn’t respond when neighbors tried to scare it away. Fish and Game did not say which neighborhood the encounter took place in.
According to Fish and Game, the man left his home to collect his mail and noticed neighbors interacting with the raccoon. He initially thought the animal may have been injured. The raccoon then reportedly moved quickly toward him, grabbing, biting and scratching his legs and forearm.
A bystander who came to assist the man was also scratched during the encounter.
Both individuals sought medical treatment for their injuries.
Fish and Game officers later euthanized the raccoon and submitted it to Southeastern Idaho Public Health for testing. Officials say the animal tested negative for rabies, although additional testing remains pending.
The incident comes just months after Fish and Game received multiple reports of raccoons displaying unusual behavior in southeast Idaho. In June, several raccoons were reported as appearing sick, lethargic or injured while lingering in plain sight during daylight hours, behavior that wildlife officials say is not typical for the species.
A raccoon tested during that investigation was negative for rabies but was found positive for canine distemper, a disease commonly found in raccoons, skunks, and members of the canine family.
While canine distemper cannot be transmitted to humans, it can spread to dogs.
Fish and Game officials emphasized that not all raccoons carry disease and that conflicts between people and raccoons are relatively uncommon. However, residents are encouraged to keep a safe distance from raccoons and other wildlife.
Anyone bitten or scratched by a raccoon should seek medical or veterinary care and report the incident to Fish and Game and their local public health district.
Wildlife officials also recommend keeping pets away from raccoon carcasses and taking steps to reduce attractants around homes. Suggestions include securing garbage containers, cleaning up spilled birdseed, bringing pet food indoors at night and ensuring pet doors remain closed when raccoons are most active.
Residents who observe a raccoon exhibiting unusual or concerning behavior can contact Idaho Fish and Game for guidance. Officials noted that each situation is evaluated individually and that not every reported raccoon will be captured or removed.
