Dog defends owner against rabid raccoon during Poconos hike

BUSHKILL, Pennsylvania (AP) – A hiking officer in the Poconos Mountains, Pennsylvania, was attacked by a rabid racoon and defended by his dog, who removed the varmint.

A spokeswoman for the Delaware Water Gap Recreation Center said the raccoon "came out of nowhere" and threw himself on the legs of the 60-year-old man.

Kathleen Sandt told LehighValleyLive.com that the man was hiking. He fell and was bitten several times by the raccoon.

She says that the black lab of the man, Fasha, has gone on the action, tearing the owner's animal and immobilizing it.

The dog, named after the dog of the Arlo Guthrie song "Alice's Restaurant," was not injured during the January 28 attack.

The raccoon carcbad has been tested positive for rabies. The man was looked after.