Rockland County Animal Control Officer Tests Positive For Rabies After Raccoon Bite

NEW CITY, N.Y. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- A Rockland County animal control officer has tested positive for rabies after being bit by a raccoon.

Pat Coleman, who works for the Clarkstown police department, was  bitten on the left leg Tuesday near Maple Avenue in New City.

The raccoon lunged at her in the parking lot of the police station and Coleman later captured the creature, police said.

"She was able to get back into her vehicle and grab her animal pole and at that point walked across the street, following the raccoon, she was able to secure the raccoon using the pole," Officer Peter Walker told 1010 WINS.

Coleman is being treated with a series of vaccinations. She has returned to work, Walker said.

Police Chief Michael Sullivan told the Journal News that Coleman is doing fine.

County Health Commissioner Dr. Patricia Ruppert said rabies continues to be a serious public health problem in Rockland County.

Coleman has been an animal control officer for over three decades.

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