• A raccoon was taken to a pet store in Maine by a woman who wanted its nails cut
  • It had to be killed because there is no nonlethal method for testing for rabies 

Wildlife officials in Maine had to perform a lethal rabies test on a raccoon that was brought into a Petco last Tuesday by a woman wanting to have its nails trimmed.

While the raccoon was in the store some customers kissed it, according to the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife.

The animal tested negative for rabies after the department released surveillance images of the woman in an appeal for help from the public identifying her.

According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, the only definitive way to test an animal for rabies is to examine its brain, which cannot be done when it is alive. 

DailyMail.com wrote to the department for clarification as to what penalty or charge would be leveled against the woman were she to be identified, but did not hear back. 

Wildlife officials in Maine had to perform a lethal rabies test on a raccoon that was brought into a Petco last Tuesday by a woman (pictured) wanting to have its nails trimmed. The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife is seeking help identifying her
Wildlife officials in Maine had to perform a lethal rabies test on a raccoon that was brought into a Petco last Tuesday by a woman (pictured) wanting to have its nails trimmed. The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife is seeking help identifying her© Provided by Daily Mail
The woman brought the raccoon to the Petco store on Mount Auburn Avenue in Auburn around 1.30pm on May 23
The woman brought the raccoon to the Petco store on Mount Auburn Avenue in Auburn around 1.30pm on May 23© Provided by Daily Mail

The woman brought the raccoon to the Petco store on Mount Auburn Avenue in Auburn around 1.30pm on Tuesday hoping to have its nails trimmed.

While waiting to speak with store employees, wildlife officials said many people handled the raccoon and some kissed it.

Related video: Woman allegedly brings raccoon into Petco in Auburn, Maine (WMUR Manchester)

You don't hear every day the Warden Service in Maine
Loaded: 100.00%
Current Time 0:03
Duration 0:29
WMUR Manchester
Woman allegedly brings raccoon into Petco in Auburn, Maine
0
View on Watch
More videos

Raccoons are one of the most common carriers of rabies in Maine and the disease can be fatal if left untreated, Wildlife officials say they were therefore initially concerned that employees and customers at the store might have been exposed.

The department said that cutting raccoon nails is not a service offered by the store. 

It's manager asked the woman to leave but kept the raccoon and contacted the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

The raccoon was then given a rabies test, which came back negative.

Rabies is almost always fatal in humans once symptoms appear, and potential sufferers need to seek treatment immediately.

While the woman was waiting to speak with a store employee, other customers handled the raccoon and some even kissed it, wildlife department officials said
While the woman was waiting to speak with a store employee, other customers handled the raccoon and some even kissed it, wildlife department officials said© Provided by Daily Mail
Pictured is a common raccoon. In Maine, raccoons are one of the most common carriers of Rabies
Pictured is a common raccoon. In Maine, raccoons are one of the most common carriers of Rabies© Provided by Daily Mail

Wildlife is best left alone, though animal control authorities should be notified if the animals appear to be in distress, said Mark Latti, a spokesperson for the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife.

'When they lose their fear of people they are more likely to become a nuisance or be run over by a vehicle,' Latti said.

The wildlife department said store customers who touched the animal should still contact their healthcare providers as a precaution.

Raccoons are capable of transferring other diseases along to humans and other animals as well.

The Petco store in question did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the Associated Press on Sunday.

Read m