Toronto Animal Services warns of distemper outbreak after raccoon seen wandering supermarket
Toronto Animal Services (TAS) is urging residents to not approach, touch, or feed racoons after one critter was recently seen wandering around a supermarket in Toronto’s west end.
This warning comes after a recent increase in the number of service requests for sick and injured wildlife, which TAS said is “partially a result of a distemper outbreak within Toronto’s raccoon population.”
Believed to be a continuation from a notable spate of cases seen last fall, they said that this latest outbreak is due to the mild winter.
Cases of distemper are now spreading into wards in the city’s west and north ends, Jasmine Herzog-Evans, manager of TAS’ enforcement and mobile response unit, told CTV News Toronto.
Herzog-Evans noted that this outbreak is not uncommon among the city’s raccoon population and is something that occurs every two to three years, adding that while so far there are no reported cases in the pet population, service requests for sick and injured wildlife are significantly up.
From Jan. 1 to April 20, TAS said it received 3,601 service requests, compared to 719 service requests for the same period in 2022. Comparatively, during the distemper outbreak this fall (from Oct. 1 to Dec. 31, 2022), Toronto Animal Services got 3,722 service requests for sick and injured raccoons.
Canine Distemper Virus (CDV) is generally present in the raccoon population and those who have it may “approach people or curl up to sleep in open areas in close proximity to people.” Raccoons with this fatal virus tend to “act disoriented or lethargic, may appear blind and confused, wander aimlessly or become aggressive if cornered.”
A notable mucus discharge is also often be present around the eyes and nose of racoons with the illness and sick animals may experience coughing, tremors, seizures, or chewing fits, the city said.
And while CDV cannot be transmitted to human beings, dogs can contract it if they have not been vaccinated or if they come into contact with an infected animal. raccoon.
To help keep people and pets safe, the City of Toronto is reminding people to never feed or interact with wildlife, even if an animal seems tame or sick, always keep a dog on a leash or supervised in off-leash areas, make sure their pets’ vaccinations are up to date, not feed pets, including leaving pet food out as it will attract raccoons and wild animals, properly dispose of waste in parks and at home, and wildlife-proof their homes and yards.
It should also be noted that as of April 1 it is illegal to feed wildlife in Toronto.
Residents can contact 311 if they see a raccoon or other wildlife displaying abnormal behaviour.
It is not known if the trash panda spotted strolling in a local grocery store has distemper, however their behaviour is out of the ordinary.
Customer Alex Chow, who took a short video of the animal inside the Loblaws at 650 Dupont St. and posted it to Twitter, said he kept a safe distance from the animal just in case it was sick or injured.
In his 32-second clip, the racoon is seen walking in and around cashier stalls at the front of the store.
“It was quite the novelty,” he told CP24.com on Monday morning.
“It’s not every day that you see a racoon strolling in a supermarket.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
Human remains found in rural Sask. possibly a decade old, RCMP say
RCMP say human remains found in a rural area in central Saskatchewan may have been there for a decade or more.
2 charged after police find 'concerning and diverse' explosives at Manitoba home
Winnipeg police say they have arrested two people in their 20s after a large amount of explosives were found in a home outside of Winnipeg, Man.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Spain abolishes national bullfighting award in cultural shift
Spain scrapped an annual bullfighting award on Friday, prompting a rebuke from conservatives over a backlash against a centuries-old tradition they see as an art form but which has run into growing concern for animal welfare.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.
Police officer hit by driver of fleeing vehicle in Toronto
York Regional Police say they are continuing to search for a suspect in an auto theft investigation who was captured on video running over a police officer in Toronto last month.