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Animal Control Warns Pet Owners To Watch Out For Wild Animals After Rabid Critter Attacks Dog In Clifton, NJ

CLIFTON, N.J. (CBSNewYork) – Clifton Animal Control is issuing a warning for pet owners to watch out for wild animals after discovering two rabid critters, one of which attacked a dog.

"I was freaking out," Alan Javate told CBS2's Weijia Jiang. "I just heard commotion and I see a big skunk chasing him around the yard."

A skunk was attacking Javate's 7-year-old Shih Tzu, Chewy, in the backyard of their home.

Javate says the wild animal was so aggressive, he had no choice but to fight back.

"I had this big, long plank in my backyard, grabbed it, and started poking the skunk away from the dog. Once I poked it, it looked at me and started hissing so I hit it on top of the head,"Javate said.

He then called police.

Officer Robert Boyle with Clifton Animal Control said he knew right away the skunk was sick because of its erratic behavior.

Sure enough, the skunk tested positive for rabies, as did a raccoon found two blocks away from Javate's home near Elmwood Drive and Valley Road.

"We've been getting a lot of them lately, in this area," Boyle said.

Boyle says they have received about two calls a week for the past several months from people reporting possibly rabid animals.

Boyle is now warning pet owners to watch out for wild animals acting out of the ordinary.

"They will be not afraid of people, they'll maybe be walking in circles or shaking, or staying in one place too long," he said.

Luckily, the skunk did not actually bite Chewy and the vet says he does not have any signs of rabies.

"He's been fine ever since, no reactions. I just don't let him in the backyard at this point. Not yet," Javate said.

Boyle says if the skunk had bit Chewy, he would have been okay anyway because his rabies shots were up to date.

If you or your pet do come in contact with an animal you believe to be rabid, you're instructed to call Animal Control immediately.

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