MIDLOTHIAN, Va. -- Christopher Walker said "demonic" was the only way to describe the behavior of a rabid raccoon that attacked his 15-year-old dog Bailey outside his Midlothian home. Walker and his family were eating breakfast the morning of March 23 when they heard a chilling sound coming from the back yard.
"You just do not think it is going to happen to you, but once you see blood, it's serious," Walker said. "It seemed to me like he [the raccoon] was demonic. He did not know what he was doing, he was just attacking."
Bailey, who can neither see nor hear, was able to get away from the attacking raccoon and retreated to the Walker's home. Walker's wife called animal control who arrived and took the raccoon away. Walker recorded the animal's removal.
"The raccoon was so deranged from the rabies, he was actually chewing his fingers off," Walker explained.
Chesterfield Police later confirmed the raccoon tested positive for rabies. Police said whenever a person comes into contact with a rabid animal, an alert is sent to the neighborhood. But that is not always the case when pets come into contact with a rabid animal. Walker took to social media to warn people in his Tarrington neighborhood about Bailey's encounter.
"Whether it be our kids or our pets playing outside, there's wildlife out there and we need to be ready," Walker said.
Bailey is undergoing rabies treatment and is expected to be okay.
