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A rabid raccoon in the Brookwood Village Drive area is the 17th confirmed rabies case in White County for 2020.
A rabid raccoon in the Brookwood Village Drive area is the 17th confirmed rabies case in White County for 2020.
According to Sean Sullivan, White County Environmental Health Manager, on Thursday, Sept. 10, a dog was let out to use the bathroom in a fenced yard.
"They did not realizing that there was a raccoon on top of the chain link fence." Sullivan said. "The dog went straight to the fence area where the raccoon was and started barking. The raccoon then jumped into the fenced yard and attacked the dog. They fought, and then the raccoon ran up a tree within the yard. The dog was then let back into the house where it came in contact with two other dogs."
The Department of Natural Resources was notified and killed the raccoon, Sullivan said. DNR notified White County Environmental Health about the incident. The raccoon was sent to the Georgia Public Health Lab in Decatur. The state lab shared confirmation of a positive rabies test on Friday, Sept. 11.
The dogs were up to date on their rabies vaccination and is required to undergo a 45-day observational quarantine and will have to get a rabies booster shot, according to Environmental Health.
Positive alert signs have been posted in the area where the rabid raccoon was located. Those who live in this area and have concerns of rabid animal exposure should contact White County Environmental Health at 706-348-7698 during normal business hours.
Animal owners are encouraged to vaccinate their domesticated pets for rabies. Please call a local veterinarian for an appointment.