2 Dogs Exposed To Rabid Raccoon In East Charlotte, Alert Issued

CHARLOTTE, NC — Mecklenburg County Health Department issued a rabies alert notification in east Charlotte Tuesday evening after a raccoon tested positive for rabies after two pet dogs were exposed.

The raccoon is the third to test positive for rabies in the county this year.

The alert for the neighborhood including Shady Oak Court in the Mint Hill 28227 zip code was issued April 6 at 7 p.m., Charlotte-Mecklenburg Animal Care & Control said in a statement.

"There were two domesticated dog exposures. Both dogs were current on rabies vaccinations and received their rabies boosers within 72-hours of the exposure," AC&C said.

So far in 2021, rabid raccoons have been located in the 28226, 28227 and 28105 zip codes.

Here's a list of where 15 animals tested positive for rabies in Mecklenburg County in 2020:

• 9 raccoons (28226, 28227, 28207, 28273, 28205, 28216, 28273, 28209 and 28211 zip codes)
• 2 fox (28078, 28227 zip code)
• 2 bats (28205, 28270 zip codes)
• 1 cat (28105 zip code)
• 1 skunk (28227 zip code)

AC&C said the rabies incident underscores the importance of keeping pet vaccinations up to date.

AC&C offers a free monthly rabies vaccination clinic for Mecklenburg County residents, on the second Saturday of every month. The clinic operations from 8 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. at the animal shelter at 8315 Byrum Drive in Charlotte. The clinic also offers microchipping for $10 and free pet identification tags.