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Raccoon Attack In San Francisco's Richmond District Prompts Rabies Treatment

SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) -- Visitors from Ireland had to be treated for rabies after being attacked by aggressive raccoons in San Francisco's Richmond District.

The incident was the second raccoon attack in the Richmond District in the past two months.

The couple from Ireland was walking their daughter's dogs near a Walgreens in the neighborhood when a dozen raccoons attacked the group near 41st and Anza Friday night.

Animal care officials are looking into what can be done to prevent further attacks.

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A notice to residents warning them to be careful was posted in a South of Market building after Debra Benedict and her neighbors saw a large raccoon in the area.

"I was shocked. To use the ancient expression, I was gobsmacked," Benedict said.

Animal Care and Control Director Virginia Donahoe says people should stay away from raccoons.

In 2013, the founder of news aggregator Digg was captured on security camera stopping a raccoon attack on his dog by throwing the raccoon down a flight of stairs.

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