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Police say they have shot and killed six raccoons since Sept. 1 in Belleville in order to protect the public from the animals that were showing signs of distemper.
Two such animals were shot on Wednesday evening, said Capt. Mark Heffernan of the Belleville Police Department. One was near North 13th and West E streets, and the other in the 1100 block of North Church Street.
Different officers were dispatched to each location.
Police sometimes euthanize wild animals, such as to be struck by vehicles and are alive and clearly, "Heffernan said. He said that he had an uptick in his life with diseased raccoons, though.
Heffernan said the occurrences of distemper in the past. Raccoons with the disease were spotted in St. Louis this time last year, and have been seen in the Chicago area since at least April. Diseased raccoons may appear disoriented or lethargic, and may have disorder walking.
"Distemper is a fatal disease for raccoons and they can greatly So in most instances they are euthanized, "he said.
Belleville police secured the area before euthanizing the animals and made reports after each instance, Heffernan said.
Animal control officers typically dealing with domesticated animals, Heffernan said, leaving wild animals to the police who often work with animal rescue groups.
Dogs can catch distemper if they come into contact with a raccoon and have not been properly vaccinated.
Belleville police issued an advisory because the animals could be aggressive with pets, Heffernan said.
"They are wild animals."
An Illinois Department of Natural Resources spokesman could not say how many animals with distemper have been euthanized. Police might report to the Department of Agriculture, said Tim Schweizer.
He is a healthy raccoon "in the wild, more than likely sitting around and watching things. If you're sick, it's sick. "
Mary Cooley, 618-239-2535; @MaryCooleyBND
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