Attacks by Suspected Raccoon in Jecheon Park Prompt Capture Efforts

▲ A raccoon spotted in a park

Authorities have launched efforts to capture a wild animal, suspected to be a member of the raccoon family, following a series of attacks on citizens at a park in Jecheon, North Chungcheong Province.

According to fire authorities on July 31, a person identified as A, who was taking a walk at Jecheon Civic Park at 8:51 p.m. the previous day, was attacked by a wild animal presumed to be a raccoon.

A, a woman in her 70s, sustained injuries to her hand and was taken to a hospital for treatment, while another woman in her 60s who was nearby fell in fright and was also transported to a hospital.

The wild animal had already fled by the time fire authorities arrived at the scene.

Reports of sightings of an animal suspected to be a raccoon or badger have been pouring in at the park starting from two weeks ago. It was also confirmed that on the 16th, a citizen was bitten by an animal suspected to be a badger at the same park.

An official from the city government said, "Based on the reports gathered, we believe the wild animal showed aggression in the process of protecting its young," adding, "We have installed capture traps in the park to catch the animal."

(Photo provided by Jecheon Fire Station, Yonhap News)

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