Rabid Beavers Bite Folks in NE Philly: Officials
Wildlife officials confirm reports of at least 1 rabid animal in Pennypack Creek
Friday, Jun 3, 2011 | Updated 10:09 PM EDT
NBCPhiladelphia.com - Doug Shimell
Residents are warned to stay away from the water front at Pennypack Park in Northeast Philadelphia after a rabid beaver is caught and killed.
Wildlife officials are warning Northeast Philadelphia park visitors about rabid beavers after three people were bitten near a city creek in the past few days.
On Friday, Pennsylvania State Game Commission confirmed that a beaver captured in the Pennypack Creek tested positive for rabies.
The rabies confirmation came after two separate biting incidents earlier this week along the water between Bustleton Avenue and Ax Factory Road.
Game Commission Officer Jerry Czech described what happened when a couple fishing in Pennypack Creek Wednesday was attacked.
"(The beaver) kind of went underwater and came up." Czech said "The wife started screaming and the husband looked Over and saw the beaver biting on her leg."
A beaver also bit a child in the same area on Thursday. Wildlife officials later captured and killed a beaver about 500 yards from where the child was attacked. The animal was later confirmed to have rabies after a post-mortem examination.
Wildlife officials suggest people stay out of the water until officials can declare it safe.
In late April, a rabid beaver was found in the White Clay Creek area of Chester County.
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Copyright Associated Press / NBC 10 Philadelphia
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