Confirmed Rabies Case in Washington Township (Morris County)
The Washington Township Animal Control Officer was notified on November 12th, 2025 of a raccoon that was involved in an incident with two dogs in the area of Old Farmers Road and Youngman Drive. The raccoon was exhibiting symptoms commonly associated with rabies. The raccoon was submitted to the New Jersey Public Health and Environmental Laboratory for testing, and a positive rabies result was confirmed on November 13, 2025.
At this time, Animal Control is closely monitoring the situation and investigating potential exposures related to this raccoon.
If you come across a domestic animal such as a cat or dog that is sick, injured, dead, orphaned, or behaving oddly, it’s best to leave it alone and contact police dispatch and have them notify Animal Control. Domestic animals with known or suspected exposure must receive booster vaccinations and must been quarantined by the Washington Township Health Department.
If you spot a wild animal such as a fox, skunk, raccoon, or any other wild animal that is sick, injured, orphaned, or behaving oddly, it’s best to leave it alone and contact police dispatch at (908) 876-3232. You should not handle the animal yourself.
Washington Township can be reached through the police dispatch number or you can reach out to the Washington Township Health Department with questions at (908) 876-3650.
Understanding Rabies:
Rabies is a fatal viral disease that can be prevented by avoiding contact with animals that may be rabid. If a person has significant exposure, getting vaccinated right away can also prevent disease. Rabies can be spread from the bite of a rabid animal, or when the animal’s saliva contacts a person’s mouth, eyes, or an open sore.
Rabies poses a real threat, especially to unvaccinated domestic animals. This incident should serve as a reminder for pet owners to ensure their animals are up-to-date with rabies vaccination. Rabies occurs throughout New Jersey. Bats are the animal most commonly found to have rabies. Skunks, foxes, raccoons and unvaccinated domestic animals can also develop rabies. This is the second known rabid raccoon in Washington Township this year. Human rabies cases in the United States are rare.
Behavioral signs of rabid animals, wild or domestic, may include staggering, restlessness, aggression, a change of the tone of their barks or growls, or choking. Passive animals sometimes become fierce and aggressive. Nocturnal animals sometimes appear during the day.
If you or a loved one are bitten or scratched by an unfamiliar animal, or an animal suspected of having rabies, immediately wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water and then seek medical attention. Not all exposures require post exposure treatment. Health Department and Animal Control staff will work to locate, capture, and test suspect animals in an effort to definitively identify if the animal is infectious. Reporting bites is a legal obligation of exposed individuals and medical professionals to assure any/all actions are taken to protect the individuals involved and the public at large.
Take these steps to protect your family and pets from rabies:
Make sure your pets and domestic animals are up-to-date on their rabies vaccinations; Keep children and pets from approaching or touching wild or strange animals. Make sure that any openings to your home such as crawl spaces, chimneys, attics, porches or garages are sealed or covered with thick wire screen to prevent entry by wild animals. Discourage wild animal foraging by not leaving pet food outside and by securing garbage cans. Avoid feeding, touching, or housing stray or wild animals. If you see a domestic animal (i.e. cat, dog) that is sick, injured, dead, orphaned or behaving oddly, leave it alone and contact Animal Control. If you see a wild animal (i.e. fox, skunk, raccoon), that is sick, injured, orphaned or behaving oddly, leave it alone and contact Animal Control. Do NOT handle the animal yourself.