Police: Mink that bit 2 Wal-Mart workers released into wild

WESTERLY, R.I. (AP) — Police say a wild mink bit two Wal-Mart workers in Westerly who thought it was a pet ferret.

The Westerly Sun reports police responded to the scene late Monday afternoon. The workers trapped the animal in a garbage can.

After officers determined they weren’t seriously hurt and the animal didn’t show signs it had rabies, police released the mink into a wooded area.

Police then received a call that night saying a person was taken to a hospital after being bitten by the mink.

The hospital notified state health officials after discovering the animal had been released and couldn’t be tested for rabies.

State health and wildlife officials then issued a warning to residents that at least two customers were reportedly bitten by an animal that could have rabies.

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Information from: The Westerly Sun