Rabid raccoon killed

Wilson, NC -- Wilson County had its first confirmed rabies case of 2005 reported this week after a raccoon attacked a dog near the Johnston County line.

Carl Utley, Animal Control director, said his officers responded to the incident Wednesday on Hawley Road off of N.C. 42 West.

"The owner of the dog called and said he killed a raccoon that got into a fight with one of his dogs," Utley said. "He thought maybe the raccoon was sick or something."

After the raccoon had attacked the dog, the owner killed it and put it in a container. Animal Control sent the dead animal to a state lab and were told Thursday it tested positive for rabies, Utley said.

"The good thing is the gentleman's dog had already had its rabies shots," he said. "The dog only had to get a rebooster shot since it had been vaccinated this year."

Lonnie Batten, who owns the dog, said he and his wife were eating dinner when they heard their rat terrier barking in the yard. When they investigated, they saw the dog fighting with a small raccoon.

Batten said he knew something was wrong with the raccoon.

"He was mighty ill," he said. "But that might have been because the dog was on it." Batten got his hoe and killed the raccoon.

Later that night at church he spoke of the incident and warned people to be aware of raccoons in the neighborhood.

Utley said he couldn't stress enough how important it was for pet owners to have their animals vaccinated with rabies shots.

"Sometimes people forget when they take a pet to the vet," he said. "But things like this could easily occur."

According to state law, if a pet is not vaccinated with rabies shots and comes in contact with a rabid animal, it will have to be quarantined for six months or euthanized.

"We know we have a lot of raccoons and other wild animals in the county, and the most important thing someone can do is keep their pet current on rabies shots," Utley said.

With a large raccoon population in the county, it is not uncommon to see them during the day, but it could be unusual, Utley said.

"Most of the time if you see them during the day they are sick or have rabies because they usually shy away from humans," he said.

If someone sees a raccoon or fox that is acting abnormally or aggressively without fear of humans, Animal Control should be notified immediately, Utley said.

"Nine times out of 10 the animal has contracted a disease," he said.

However, the state only tests possible rabies cases if the wild animal comes in contact with a human or domestic animal, Utley said.

Utley recommends that people not leave food out overnight for animals and avoid touching a dead animal in the road.

"One of the primary reasons Animal Control is here is to prevent rabies and make sure people have their animals vaccinated so we don't have a situation where someone would have to take shots because they came in contact with a rabid animal," Utley said.

http://www.wilsondaily.com/Wil_region/Local_News/307405850172388.php

 

very intersting post, here in Italy we havn't this problem the rabies is not present in this time any year ago was different but for entry in the shoow is necessary do that.


In the other country near us the situation is different in france and svizzerland the vacination is obligatory .

 

I sure hope it doesn't come down this way. I have too many pups to train to have to worry about it.

 

i need to get my dogs rabbies shots they expire this month,man my homie got to scrappin with a raccoon one time the raccon tried to jump on him and he just swung at him and sent him flyin to the wall,and he got the racoon with his hands and started chockin him,it was funny watchin a 325 pound male fight a lil 15 pound animal