State watching rabies attacks, new strain potential issue
A recent spree of attacks in Topsham points to a potential cluster of rabies, but not more rabies in the state, experts say.
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A recent spate of attacks on humans and pets by foxes in Topsham may be in part due to a new strain of rabies, according to experts.
As of April 18, there have been five such attacks in Topsham this year.
State Veterinarian Michele Walsh theorizes a rabies strain more associated with raccoons has begun infecting gray foxes. Recent tests by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention from foxes involved in attacks last year support that theory.
Former Topsham school resource officer pleads not guilty to sexual relationship with high school student
Randy Cook resigned as a Topsham police officer in November 2020, days after an allegation of misconduct was made Author: Beth Brogan (NEWS CENTER Maine) Published: 2:58 PM EDT April 13, 2021 Updated: 3:13 PM EDT April 13, 2021
TOPSHAM, Maine A former Topsham police officer and school resource officer at the local high school pleaded not guilty to a misdemeanor charge of unlawful sexual touching in connection with a 17-year-old student.
Randy T. Cook, 47, of Brunswick, is charged with the Class E misdemeanor.
According to a criminal summons issued on Feb. 22, the crime allegedly took place on Nov. 6, 2020, in Topsham.
Topsham resident attacked by rabid fox Sunday
Fourth fox attack in Topsham in two weeks
Topsham police say a Mallett Drive resident was attacked by a fox Sunday morning.
According to Police Chief Marc Hagan, the resident “managed to get hold of the fox as it attacked and held it” until officers arrived and killed the animal.
No one was bitten during the incident, but the animal was sent by a game warden to the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention in Augusta, where it tested positive for rabies.
This is the fourth fox attack in Topsham in the last two weeks, according to Hagan.
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Former Topsham school resource officer Randy Cook sits in his office at Mt. Ararat High School in this 2018 file photo.
Darcie Moore / The Times Record
TOPSHAM State police opened an investigation into former Topsham Police Officer Randy Cook following a complaint against him in the fall, according to Sagadahoc County District Attorney Natasha Irving.
Cook, a member of Topsham Police Department since June 2003, resigned in November 2020. He had worked as a school resource officer in School Administrative District 75 at Mt. Ararat high and middle schools for more than five years.
Topsham Police Chief Marc Hagan said that the department received a complaint alleging misconduct by Cook on Nov. 6, 2020, but would not provide details about the nature of the complaint.