Sightings of sick and/or injured raccoons resumed in Barrington last week. 

Barrington Police responded to dozens of reports of sick or injured raccoons throughout the fall season, and euthanized the vast majority of sick animals they encountered. The sightings slowed in January, with just two incidents reports, and disappeared in February. 

But last week police-related raccoon incidents were back. 

On Thursday, March 13, officials at Hampden Meadows School called police at about 10:50 a.m. after spotting a “sick or injured raccoon” in the playground area. 

The animal control officer responded to the school and located the raccoon. The ACO called for a police officer to assist; the officer responded to the school and euthanized the animal. 

Two days later, on Saturday, March 15, Barrington Police received another call about a sick or injured raccoon. A resident called the station at about 8:20 a.m. to report a possibly sick animal on Linden Road near the Hampden Meadows Greenbelt. Police euthanized that animal as well.

From late August through mid-December 2024, Barrington Police responded to dozens of reports for sick or injured raccoons. Officers euthanized approximately 30 animals during that stretch of time — police reported that the animals were exhibiting signs of distemper. 

Late last year, Morgan Lucot, the RIDEM Furbearer Specialist, said the cause of any fluctuation in wildlife disease can be hard to pinpoint. Lucot added that residents were strongly encourage to vaccinate their pets against distemper, and rabies vaccinations are required by law.

Dr. Shelly Pancoast, a veterinarian who lives in Barrington, wrote a letter to the editor last year, urging caution by residents and pet-owners. “Because there is no evidence thus far as to what disease is affecting the raccoon population in Barrington, we should assume it is likely to be rabies, and take necessary precautions to protect public health,” Pancoast wrote.