Two dogs now face certain death after coming into contact with a rabid raccoon. According to Habersham County Animal Care and Control Director Madi Hawkins, the two brown mixed breed dogs and a white Boxer took down the raccoon on Homer Stephens Road October 4th.
She says a third party witness notified HCACC about the killing that day. “It was reported to HCACC that the raccoon was seen acting ‘strange’ prior and was ‘aggressive with the dogs’,” Hawkins says in an email. She says the three dogs belonged to two separate residences and were running free at the time of the incident.
The raccoon was picked up by Animal Control on Oct. 4th and submitted to the Health Department for testing. The dogs were placed in temporary quarantine pending the results which came back Oct. 7th. The raccoon tested positive for the rabies virus.
Hawkins says the two mixed breed dogs have no history of rabies vaccinations and will be euthanized. “The boxer is currently in Quarantine while the owner is attempting to locate proof of rabies vaccination,” she says. “If this cannot be located, the Boxer will be euthanized, as well.”
Hawkins stresses the importance of pet owners getting their animals vaccinated against rabies. Vaccinations are required by both state and local law and cost around $10-$15.
“A simple shot can save a pet’s life,” says Hawkins. “It breaks my heart to have to euthanize someone’s pet simply because they were not vaccinated against a fatal disease.”
For more information on pet vaccinations, visit your local veterinarian or contact HCACC at (706) 839-0195.
