Bergen County officials are warning the public to beware of possibly rabid animals after a stray cat and a raccoon were confirmed to have the illness.

A stray cat attacked several people over the weekend in Edgewater. And a rabid raccoon was found in North Arlington.

Rabies in people can be deadly if left untreated. Officials say that the public should stay away from all outdoor animals.

"This happens a lot when people feed the animals outside that don't belong in their home,” says Edgewater public health nurse Patricia Dalton. “They all congregate and if a rabid animal is sick and it's rabid, it will attack. And it acts very bizarre, the behavior of the animal."

The public is urged to contact the local police and health departments to report any animal bites and scratches.