Mom grabs raccoon as it attacks infant boy in his carrier, Idaho officials say

Helena Wegner, Idaho Statesman

BURLEY (Idaho Statesman) – A mom yanked an attacking raccoon off her baby boy in her home in Idaho, wildlife officials said.

The incident happened Dec. 23 in Cassia County, Idaho Fish and Game said in a Dec. 27 news release.

RELATED | Raccoon attacks baby in Idaho home

The young child was left in his carrier as his mom was “settling in after returning home,” officials said.

Then she heard a commotion and found the wild animal attacking her baby.

She grabbed the raccoon off her child and took her baby to a hospital for “undisclosed injuries,” wildlife officials said.

The child was taken to a hospital in Salt Lake City.

The child’s father went into the home with a deputy and killed the animal, officials said.

Wildlife officials say they don’t know how the raccoon got inside the home.

The raccoon’s body was taken and tested for rabies. Officials said the results came back negative.

‘Extremely rare’ attack

Raccoon attacks on humans are “extremely rare,” officials said.

“Raccoons are generally shy and will typically avoid humans, but they can become aggressive if they feel threatened,” officials said in the release.

Wildlife officials advise the public to avoid feeding the animals and to take other preventative measures so they aren’t attracted to homes.

Additionally, garbage around homes should be secured, fallen or rotten fruit should be removed from gardens and pets should be fed inside homes.

Residents can limit hiding places for raccoons by keeping sheds closed and sealing off entryways around the home, officials said.