File photo of a raccoon dive.
A raccoon spotted stumbling around outside a playground in Riverside Park a couple of weeks ago has tested negative for canine distemper. The raccoon also tested negative for rabies.
While more than 100 Central Park raccoons were infected by the virus, which can be deadly, no raccoons in Riverside have tested positive so far. Canine distemper does not infect humans or dogs that have been vaccinated, health officials say.
In Central Park, people have been advised not to allow their dogs to roam off-leash during off-leash hours before 9 a.m. and after 9 p.m.
Still, the poor critter is obviously suffering from some ailment.
It should be given:
1) bed rest;
2) a light diet;
3) and, of course, chicken soup.
Why chicken soup?
Because, as the punchline to several old jokes says, “it couldn’t hurt”.
What happened to the sickly raccoon? was it euthanized? released? raccoon sanctuary?
They tested him for rabies, which means they killed the poor critter.