Dog defends owner from rabid raccoon during Poconos hike

BUSHKILL, Pa. (AP) - Officials say a hiker in Pennsylvania's Poconos Mountains was attacked by a rabid raccoon and defended by his dog, who pulled the varmint off.

A spokeswoman for the Delaware Water Gap Recreation Center says the raccoon "came out of nowhere" and lunged at the 60-year-old man's legs.

The man's black lab jumped into action, pulling the animal off the owner and immobilizing it.

The dog wasn't harmed in the Jan. 28 attack. The raccoon carcass tested positive for rabies, and the man received treatment.