Grey Bruce Public Health is reminding everyone that while there is a wide array of wildlife in our region, it’s best to keep your distance.
Public health is advising to stay away from wild animals and to not try to approach, handle, or feed them.
The warning comes as there is an increase in people getting scratched and bitten by wild animals increases in the spring and summertime, with raccoons being particularly notable.
In some cases, wild animals are terminated after a biting or scratching incident happens, and in some cases, the animal has to be euthanized in order to conduct laboratory testing.
Grey Bruce Public Health has these recommendations:
– Stay away from wild animals and refrain from touching, petting, or handling wildlife or keeping wild animals as pets
– Do not feed wild animals
– Keep pets away from wild animals and do not allow them to roam unsupervised
– Protect your home and yard from wild animals
– Do not disturb baby animals
– Warn children to stay away from wild or stray animals
– Do not trap or transport wild animals to a new location
