Pet owners beware a rabid raccoon was caught last week while prowling in nearby Maymont Park. The raccoon (or Procyon lotor, as it is known to scientists and people that use Wikipedia to research blog posts) is usually a nocturnal creature that scavenges throughout the night. The critter caught in Maymont was spotted during the broad daylight by a park visitor walking near the Children's Center.

WRIC 8 has more on this rabid raccoon: [1]

[Maymont Director of Habitats and Nature Center Henry Bireline] said the visitor brought the situation to the attention of the animal care staff, which restrained and quarantined the animal. Park officials confirmed the raccoon was wild, and not part of the park's animal exhibits.

The visitor who discovered the raccoon was not injured.

Maymont officials were notified Wednesday that tests on the raccoon confirmed it was rabid. It is unknown if any of the park's animals came into contact with the rabid animal.

Get more on this story from WRIC 8 [2]