Toddler Attacked by Raccoon at Playground

A two-year-old boy was attacked by a raccoon while playing at Wayland Town Beach playground on Friday afternoon. The animal lunged from behind a jungle gym, biting and scratching the child's rib cage. The toddler's nanny quickly recognized the severity of the injuries, leading his father to take him to Newton-Wellesley Hospital.

At the hospital, the child received three stitches and commenced a standard course of rabies vaccinations. His parents expressed gratitude for the prompt medical care but were shaken by the ordeal. The Wayland Police Department searched the area for the raccoon but were unsuccessful in locating it.

In response, authorities issued a public safety notice advising residents to exercise caution around local wildlife. They warned that raccoons active during the day or displaying unprovoked aggression might be ill, highlighting the need for vigilance in wooded communities like Wayland.