Pit bull saves child from rabid raccoon

NORWICH, CT (KTRK) -- A dog in Connecticut recently saved his family from a rabid raccoon in their backyard.

Savannah Vanase, 11, says she was cleaning the family's chicken coop when she saw the raccoon just inches away from her. Her dog Tank saw the animal, too. Samantha says Tank sprinted over to the animal and started to fight it.

Samantha says the dog tossed the raccoon against their fence and then suffocated it.

The family had the raccoon tested and the animal was deemed rabid.

Now, Tank is in a months-long quarantine at the local pound.

Animal control officer Donna Gremminger points out that vaccinated animals need only a 45-day home quarantine, but unfortunately Tank will need to stay at the pound for a full six months.

The Vanase family, too, is undergoing a series of treatments for rabies.

Tank is expected to be released this July.

Samantha said, "When he comes home, (I'm going to) make him a big nice peanut butter bone treat cake for him."