Philadelphia beaver tests positive for rabies

A beaver suspected of biting three people around Pennypack Creek has been positively tested for rabies, state officials said Friday.

The attacks occurred between Bustleton Avenue and Roosevelt Boulevard in Northeast Philadelphia and the public is urged to avoid the area while authorities search for any other infected beavers, officials said.

A beaver was captured and killed Thursday near where a child was bitten. The carcass was tested at the University of Pennsylvania's New Bolton Center in Chester County and the animal tested positive for the rabies virus, officials said.

Anybody seeing beavers or other mammals acting in a suspicious manner are asked to report that information to the Pennsylvania Game Commision at at 610-926-3136 or local law enforcement.

   -Robert Moran