Top Tip to Keep Wildlife at Bay, Don’t Feed Wild Animals

Raccoons may seem cute but they are wild animals and the McHenry County Health Department warns residents not to feed wild animals in light of two separate bite incidents in the county.

The department of health is urging residents to adopt a “hands-off” approach to local wildlife in light of the two bites that occurred after resident left food out for raccoons. One victim is currently undergoing rabies treatment, said Debra Quackenbush, Community Information Coordinator for the McHenry County Department of Health.

“I think people may have good intentions but this is a message of precaution,” she said. “We want people to know you do it (feed wild animals) at your own risk,” she said.

Quackenbush said the department takes animal bites very seriously. One of the victims is undergoing a series of five shots over three weeks to prevent the rabies, which can be fatal without treatment, she said.

“Unfortunately, they learned the lesson the hard way not to encourage wildlife to come to the door step,” she said. “People are good natured wanting to feed animals but when it comes to wildlife, they are still wild animals.”

Pets may also be at risk of wild animals if homeowners put food, including scraps in gardens, near their homes.

Living with wildlife is something we all have to deal with in McHenry County but there are some things you can do to limit your risk of getting injured, Quackenbush said.

Quakenbush put together tips to keep wild animals away. These animals are attracted to your home by food and shelter, she said. Remove these temptations and you can cut your risks of structural damage, home invasion and other problems. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources offers these tips:

• Do not encourage wildlife (squirrels, raccoons) by feeding or leaving food for them.

• Don’t allow bird food to accumulate on the ground.

• Don’t place food scraps in gardens or compost bins.

• Keep pet food and water containers indoors, especially at night.

• If you have fruit trees, harvest or dispose of fruit when it is ripe.

• Use metal or durable plastic trash containers.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), wild animals account for 9 out of 10 rabies cases in the United States and raccoons make up almost half of those.  Most raccoons are healthy and harmless but you should never touch or approach a wild raccoon, and you should definitely not feed them.

Read more about it from the University of Illinois Extension’s “Living with Wildlife in Illinois” on its website.