HIGHLANDS RANCH, Colo. (KDVR) — Sightings of sick and diseased raccoons are on the rise in Douglas County, specifically in the Highlands Ranch area.
Most people fear the animals have contracted rabies, but the director of the Douglas County Health Department, Michael Hill, said they haven’t.
After speaking with local vets he believes it’s an outbreak of Canine Distemper.
Hill confirmed to FOX31 that over the last month, they have seen an increase in reports of sick or dying raccoons. In one day they received 15 calls about the issue.
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“It’s heartbreaking when you’re watching an animal suffer,” said Kelly Ruedeen.
She found one in her driveway on Thursday morning.
“You could tell he was not well,” said Rudeen. “As he was getting closer you could tell he couldn’t see. He was stumbling and sniffing towards smells and falling over consistently.”
Rudeen looked on the Nextdoor app and saw many others complaining about the same problem so she tried calling Animal Control.