Plainfield — Police are warning residents to avoid contact with stray animals after a badly injured cat that bit a person Tuesday morning tested positive for rabies.

According to police, Animal Control Officer Karen Stone responded to the North Chestnut Street area of Wauregan around 8:30 a.m. Tuesday after a caller reported that a badly injured cat had bitten a resident.

The cat, which was captured and euthanized, was then sent to the state lab for testing.

The state lab confirmed on Wednesday that the cat had tested positive for the rabies virus.

Police said the resident suffered minor injuries and is receiving post-exposure immunizations.

Police said in addition to avoiding contact with wildlife, residents should not leave food outside for their pets and should ensure the pets are up to date on their rabies vaccines.

Police are asking anyone who sees an animal acting strangely to call animal control at (860) 564-8547 or police at (860) 564-0804.