Neighbor Shawn called to me from her porch as I was going out to walk. They had trapped a sick raccoon, and she knew I would want to take a photo of it. People in the neighborhood had been talking of one with distemper wandering about. When Joyce and I came back from walking, we went to see it. Bob was there, having gently turned the hose on the ‘coon to cool it down. It had been lying still and drooling from its mouth.
Shawn talked about distemper, saying it is communicable, and there is no cure. People can’t get the disease, but unvaccinated dogs can. Bob arranged for someone to take the animal, and I think I saw the car that took it away. It should soon be out of its misery.
Mehrling Muse 
It always make me feel sad to see a wild animal in this condition, but it happens. Good that the neighbors are handling it, for the raccoons sake as well as any dogs who could be exposed. A lot goes on in the mountains of NC!
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Their dog was watching through the glass door. Shawn said she called their vet to make sure her vaccinations were up to date.
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Oh the poor thing. We found one sleeping on our back door mat in Vancouver. He didn’t look good so hubby called Animal Rescue who came and picked him up. I like to think he knew we were a safe place to be so stopped to rest there.
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I’m glad animal people know when there is no hope for recovery.
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It is a shame wild animals can’t be protected like dogs. Distemper and rabies are horrible ways to die.
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The poor baby. I’m glad they did the humane thing.
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Yes, I am, too.
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You sure have a lot of wildlife encounters in your neighborhood Anne! That’s a shame about the raccoon, but hopefully it was put out of its misery quickly and painlessly and it didn’t have any contact with any domestic animals.
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Shawn’s dog was on the other side of the glass door from the ‘coon. Her shots were up to date, though.
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That’s good – I did notice that she called the vet to ensure she was up to date on her shots. I’m glad there are no issues as to humans contracting that virus.
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Poor thing. Bless them for taking it in and having it taken care of.
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Poor thing😔but you did the right thing. Just really sad.
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