A rabid raccoon was recently killed by a dog in Gastonia.
Gaston County Police Animal Care and Enforcement got a call about the incident Sunday evening.
According to the caller, a family dog had killed a raccoon in the 2200 block of Robinwood Road, Gastonia. There was no human contact with the raccoon. The dog was current on its rabies vaccination and received a booster shot.
Animal Care and Enforcement impounded the raccoon and sent it to the N.C. Laboratory of Public Health in Raleigh on Monday. Lab results returned Tuesday afternoon indicated that the raccoon tested positive for rabies.
Enforcement Specialist completed a neighborhood canvass in the area of Robinwood Road on Tuesday to notify the community of the positive rabies results and verify rabies vaccinations for family pets in the area.
Gaston County Animal Care and Enforcement also notified Gaston County Department Health and Human Services about the incident.
The Gaston County Police Department Animal Care and Enforcement Division stresses the importance of having a valid rabies vaccination for all pet’s health and safety, as well as the health and safety of their owners and community.
This represents the third confirmed rabies case in Gaston County this year.
