Zombie Raccoons: Riverside police respond to calls from raccoons suffering from the disease of Carré

RIVERSIDE, Ill. (WLS) – Dog owners in Riverside's western suburbs need to monitor zombie raccoons.

The animals are carriers of the distemper virus that can be deadly for dogs. Riverside police have reported an increase in cases of deer virus detected in the raccoon.

The description of the zombie refers to how infected raccoons walk on their hind legs, stagger and uncover their teeth.

"It seems that every year around the same time, we are getting more and more calls about raccoons and that we are responding to calls about raccoons that could pose a danger to the public," he said. said Riverside Police Chief Tom Weitzel. "Our policy allows us to shoot animals that are suffering or posing a threat to public safety."

RELATED: Stickney police warn of raking of raccoons potentially infected with Parkinson's disease

The police ask pet owners to vaccinate their dogs and watch them while they are outside, even in a fenced garden.

"We have had several cases involving raccoons with distemper in our jurisdiction," said Weitzel. "If you see a sick raccoon that may pose a threat to public safety, call the police."

Symptoms of Parkinson's disease include ocular and nasal discharge, sneezing, coughing, lethargy, loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, tremors and seizures, the police said.