Wayland police warn public after toddler bitten by raccoon, needs rabies shots

Tonight, Wayland police are warning the public about a raccoon attack at a local park. A toddler bitten while on the playground is recovering. Only on Boston 25 News, reporter Christine McCarthy spoke with his parents. It was a frantic afternoon for this family after their little boy was attacked by a raccoon here at the town beach. As they warn other families of this potential danger, police are too. I was not on my bingo card of things that I would be scared of when I'm thinking about my son going to the park. Just minutes after Grayson's beloved nanny took these videos of their Friday afternoon playdate at Wayland Town Beach, an unexpected and terrifying attack had them frantically rushing home. I picked him up. I realized that he was pretty severely bit by this raccoon and rushed him as fast as possible to Newton Wellesley Hospital. Grayson, who turns two in August, had been climbing the jungle gym when his nanny says a raccoon at the top of the stairs grabbed hold of him. He had what we can understand is a bite mark across his rib cage as well as some scratch marks and he needed three stitches as well as the shots. So it was a pretty harrowing event for our little guy. While it's unclear if the raccoon was rabid, Grayson had to endure the first of a four dose rabies vaccine. Parents Megan and Spencer Cohen perhaps more traumatized than their little man. When you have to watch someone you love go through something like this, especially your child, it's really brutal. Today Grayson is happy to be home playing ball back to his usual active toddler self. Do you want to show your boo boo on your belly? Since our interview and request to police, officers followed up with the Cohen's, a welcome site for Grayson. Oh cool light huh? As police comb the park for the animal, they're warning the public of this potential danger and the Cohen's are spreading the word too. Thankful Grayson's injuries were not worse. He's a happy, healthy two-year-old so we're very grateful for that. The Cohen's are thankful for their quick thinking nanny and attentive medical staff. They'll be back at the hospital for three more doses of the rabies vaccine. In the meantime, the acting police chief tells me they have not yet found the animal but are continuing to monitor and work with environmental police. On scene in Wayland, Christine McCarthy for your local station, Boston 25 News.