Idaho Infant Attacked In Home By Racoon In ‘Rare’ Incident

CASSIA COUNTY, ID. (THECOUNT) — In an unusual and alarming event, an infant was attacked by a raccoon in their family home on the evening of December 23, 2024, according to reports from the Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG) and Cassia County Sheriff’s Office. The infant, secured in an infant carrier, became the target when the mother heard a commotion and discovered the unexpected visitor.

The mother’s swift action managed to halt the attack. How the raccoon gained entry into the home remains an enigma. The infant was immediately taken to Cassia Regional Hospital in Burley for emergency care and later transferred to a hospital in Salt Lake City, Utah, for further treatment due to undisclosed injuries.

Upon returning to the scene, the infant’s father, with assistance from a sheriff’s deputy, eliminated the threat by killing the raccoon, which was still present inside. No additional raccoons were found, confirming that this was the lone intruder.

The IDFG then took possession of the raccoon’s body for rabies testing, coordinated through the South Central Public Health District. The tests, conducted by the Idaho Bureau of Laboratories in Boise, fortunately returned negative for rabies, providing some relief amidst the ordeal.

In response, the IDFG’s Magic Valley Region activated their Wildlife Human Attack Response Team (WHART). This specialized unit is responsible for public safety, investigation of wildlife-human conflicts, and managing such incidents to prevent repeat occurrences.

Despite the rarity of such encounters, this event serves as a reminder of the importance of wildlife prevention around homes. Raccoons, while common, generally avoid human interaction unless they feel threatened or are attracted by food. Homeowners are urged to secure food sources, including garbage, pet food, and bird feeders, and to ensure no entry points exist for wildlife into homes or outbuildings.

Cassia County is a county in the U.S. state of Idaho. As of the 2020 Census the county had a population of 24,655. The county seat and largest city is Burley. Cassia County is included in the Burley, ID Micropolitan Statistical Area.

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