Rabid animal alert in Royal Oak

Although Royal Oak is a busy suburban area, there is still plenty of wildlife to be found. In my block alone, there has to be several dozen squirrels, woodchucks, an army of chipmunks, opossums, skunks and raccoons.

While these furry creatures may appear to be "cute" and their antics adorable, the fact remains: these are wild animals. Residents should secure their kitchen waste from marauding critters, perhaps by waiting until trash day to put out food cast-offs.

If residents have yard space available, one can also consider a food compost pile. Most compost containers are built with keeping animals out of them in mind, and many of them are economical. I've yet to see an animal dive into my compost bin.

While looking over the Royal Oak City website, I noticed that there have been certified reports of rabid skunks in the 12 Mile/Woodward/Greenfield area. Rabid animals may not only exhibit the trademark frothy mouths. Rabid animals may appear during the day with strange behavior, such as running in circles or might be overly aggressive.

Great care should be taken if you encounter a potentially rabid wild animal. Keep pets away from the sick animal. Homeowners should also stay away from any animals displaying strange behavior, and should call the Royal Oak Police Department at (248) 246.3500 (non-emergency number) for assistance in removal.