[Savage Beast]

What is it with the Russians and racoons? There's a related story about a man who tried to pet one, and it was rabid.

Racoons are cute, but rabies is endemic in the racoon population. For anybody who doesn't know this, admire them at a distance.

[seatrout]

—Racoons are cute, but rabies is endemic in the racoon population. For anybody who doesn’t know this, admire them at a distance.—

Way back in the day, my daughter and I, at a local lake feeding ducks, watched in horror as passers-by gathered around a “tame” racoon—IN BROAD DAYLIGHT—that was in a stupor. I carefully explained to my little one the terrible ramifications of this, went to a local home, and ask them to call 911. After a short time, a man came by with a shovel, conked the ‘coon (obviously dying of “dumb” rabies) on the head, and carried him away. Alas, what fools these mortals be.