Mass. resident bitten by possibly rabid calf in RI

TIVERTON, R.I. (MyFoxBoston.com) -- The Mass. Department of Public Health is working alongside health officials in Rhode Island after a Bay State resident was bitten by a rabid calf in Tiverton, R.I.

Health officials say the victim was bitten on July 15 by a calf located in a small pasture next to Gray's Ice Cream on East Road.

The three-month-old black and white steer, known as Oreo, was placed into quarantine after investigators learned of the attack. The calf died while in quarantine before testing could be finished.

Health officials from both states are now operating out of what they call an abundance of caution by asking anyone that had contact with the animal's saliva from July 5 to July 21 to contact their state's Department of Public Health. They believe the animal may have died from rabies.

The Mass. Dept. of Public Health says cattle and cats are the two most common domestic animals to be infected with rabies.

Mass. residents who may have had contact with the calf are asked to call 617-983-6800.

Cox Media Group