Rabid Raccoon Killed By Dog In Downtown Douglasville

DOUGLASVILLE GA -- Douglas County Animal Control Officers are warning residents in downtown Douglasville that has tested positive for rabies.

The raccoon was found in the area of Price Avenue, Church Street and East Spring Street off Campbellton Street.

On Wednesday, March 27 Douglas County Animal Control Officers responded to a report of a dog killing a raccoon. When officers arrived, they found the raccoon dead in a home-owners backyard. The raccoon tested positive for rabies March 29. The dog is confined and currently under a 45-day quarantine period.

If your pets are not vaccinated for rabies, authorities are telling residents to have them vaccinated now. "We are urging residents in the area to please take necessary precaution," Douglas County Director of Communications and Community Relations Rick Martin warned in a statement to Patch.

Here are some suggestions:

· Keep rabies vaccinations up-to-date for your pet.

· Keep your cats indoors and keep your dogs on a leash when outside.

· Don't leave food or garbage outside that may attract wild animals.

· Stay away from wild animals and do not feed them.

Rabies is a viral disease of mammals transmitted in the saliva of an infected animal. It is transmitted when the infected animal bites another mammal. Rabies in humans is 100% preventable by vaccination. In the United States, the rabies virus is mostly spread by wild animals like raccoons, skunks, bats, and foxes. The rabies virus is endemic in Georgia.

If you see wildlife or domesticated dogs and cats acting strangely, please call Animal Control at 770-942-5961.

For further information, you can contact Douglas County Director of Communications and Community Relations Rick Martin at 770-920-7303 or Cobb & Douglas Public Health Director of Communications Valerie Crow at 770-514-3109 or email at Valerie.crow@dph.ga.gov.