BY COLLEEN LUTOLF
Staff Writer
WOODBRIDGE — The township health department has confirmed that a groundhog found in Woodbridge last week tested positive for rabies.
An Iselin resident discovered the marmot beneath her car parked in her Winding Road driveway on June 13, Health Director Dennis Green said.
“We received a call that it was under a woman’s car and she was trying to get it out but the groundhog wasn’t budging,” Green said. “It was defiant.”
The woman sustained an injury attempting to remove the groundhog from beneath her car by swiping at it with her foot, Green said.
“She was trying to get it out but we’re not sure if she was bitten or scratched by the groundhog,” he said.
The resident is seeking medical treatment.
“We don’t know if she started rabies treatment or not,” he said.
Once health officials captured the groundhog, it was sent to the state health department for testing, where it was destroyed, Green said.
“It’s somewhat strange,” he said. “Usually groundhogs are scared of people, and will usually run away and into its hole.”
The rabies test on the groundhog was positive, Green said.
People who own animals are encouraged to get rabies inoculations for their pets, Green said.
Do not come into close contact with any wild or stray animals, and do not attempt to feed them, Green said.
“Obviously the animal got it from somewhere,” he said. “Don’t let your dog go after a squirrel. I wouldn’t take it as far as not letting the dogs out. Just make sure they’re inoculated.”
Green also suggested keeping garbage can lids closed.
It’s not unusual to find sporadic cases of rabies, Green said.
“Last year, there were some accounts of rabies in the southern part of Middlesex County,” he said. “It is in the wild population.”
Anyone who has come in close contact with the rabid groundhog or suspect they have been bitten by any rabid animal should call the Health Department immediately at (732) 855-0600, ext. 5027.
Anyone who sees a wild animal acting erratic or unusual should call Woodbridge Township Animal Control at (732) 855-0600, ext. 5007.