Dear Residents,

Please review the critical information below concerning a confirmed rabies-positive animal in Saddle River, New Jersey.

TYCO Animal control was notified by the testing laboratory that one of the coyotes sent for testing has tested POSITIVE FOR RABIES.  Northwest Bergen Regional Health Commission, the health department for Saddle River, will communicate with the impacted residents.

Please continue to use caution, especially in the area of Chestnut Ridge Road/Werimus Brook Road/North Church Road.  Any sightings of animals that are acting abnormally, appear sick or aggressive should be immediately reported to our police department and animal control for investigation.  

This is a reminder to all residents to check your pet’s vaccination and health records and make sure they are current. Rabies vaccination of dogs and cats offers a very high level of protection against the virus.

Dogs and cats who receive an initial rabies vaccination are not considered immunized until 28 days after the vaccine has been administered, therefore it is strongly recommended that any animal newly vaccinated or those too young to receive the vaccine (less than three months) not be left outdoors unattended. 

Protecting your pets by keeping them current on their rabies vaccine is an important buffer between wildlife rabies and human exposure, not only does the vaccine keep your pet safe, but it can help keep you and your family safe as well. 

In addition to vaccinating your pets for rabies, these are several tips for our residents to protect themselves and their pets: 

• Avoid wildlife and animals you do not know. 
• Keep your pet on a leash. Do not allow your pet to roam; it can come in contact with rabid wildlife. 
• Never feed or touch wild or stray animals, especially stray cats, bats, skunks, raccoons, foxes, coyotes or groundhogs. 
• Teach your children that they should tell you if they were bitten or scratched by an animal. 
• Call your doctor and the local health department if bitten or exposed to saliva or blood of a wild or stray animal. 
• Contact your veterinarian if your pet was exposed to a bat, raccoon, skunk or other wild carnivore. 

If you are bitten by an animal, wash the wound immediately with soap and water and seek medical attention. Please notify the Police Department.

If you believe your pet has had an encounter with wildlife, consult your Veterinarian immediately. It is extremely important that all domestic pets are kept up to date on their vaccinations. Vaccinating your pet is the first line of defense for your pets and your family from this fatal disease.

According to the CDC, rabies is a preventable viral disease of mammals most often transmitted through the bite of a rabid animal. The vast majority of rabies cases reported to the CDC each year from New Jersey occur in wild animals like raccoons, skunks and bats. 

The CDC explains that the rabies virus infects the central nervous system, ultimately causing disease in the brain and death. The early symptoms of rabies in people are similar to that of many other illnesses, including fever, headache and general weakness or discomfort.

As the disease progresses, more specific symptoms appear and may include insomnia, anxiety, confusion, slight or partial paralysis, excitation, hallucinations, agitation, hypersalivation (increase in saliva), difficulty swallowing and hydrophobia (fear of water). Death usually occurs within days of the onset of these symptoms.

According to the CDC, the presence of rabies in animals may be indicated by unprovoked aggression, impaired movement, paralysis, lack of coordination, unusually friendly behavior and/or disorientation.

Contact Information for both the Police Department and Health Department can be found below:

• Saddle River NJ Police
  • 83 E Allendale Rd, Saddle River, NJ 07458
  • Emergency: 9-1-1
  • 201-327-5300
• Northwest Bergen Regional Health Commission
  • 20 W Prospect St, Waldwick, NJ 07463
  • (201) 445-7217

Take care,

NWBRHC Staff