This rabid skunk was captured by Habersham County Animal Care and Control near Clarkesville Elementary School on Beaver Dam Road. (photo/Madi Hawkins)
Habersham County Animal Care and Control reports two cases of rabies have been confirmed in Clarkesville. One case involves a rabid raccoon, the other, a rabid skunk.
HCACC Director Madi Hawkins says both animals were captured on March 22 and sent to the State Health Department for testing. Both tested positive. The results were returned today.
Too close for comfort
The rabid skunk was captured close to Clarkesville Elementary School. Hawkins says a resident in the area contacted Animal Control after noticing that the skunk was acting strangely. Animal Control Officer Randall Hughes responded to the call and observed the animal’s odd behavior. “The skunk was staggering through yards and across the road, and was travelling towards the fence at Clarkesville Elementary,” Hawkins says. She says ACO Hughes was not vaccinated for rabies and called for assistance.
Hughes followed the skunk on foot to make sure it didn’t get away. When Hawkins arrived, she says the skunk was attempting to crawl underneath the school fence near the intersection of Trotter and Beaver Dam Roads. She used a jacket to capture it before it got onto school grounds.
“Due to the need to hand capture the animal, the clinical signs I observed, and the location of the animal in a high risk area, I advised the Health Department to test the specimen,” Hawkins says.
Puppy scratched by rabid raccoon
In the other incident, a puppy was scratched after chasing a rabid raccoon on Chisom Trail. The puppy was too young for a rabies vaccination and Hawkins says, as a result, it will have to be euthanized. “That one makes me sad,” she says. “The owner did nothing wrong. The puppy was too young for vaccines.”
Pets must be at least three months old to be vaccinated and the puppy was just under that age.
Report and vaccinate
Hawkins says both cases bring to light the dangers of living in a rural area. “While it is common to observe wildlife, especially in the spring time, we urge residents to avoid direct contact with wildlife, dead or alive.”
Hawkins urges you to report any wildlife contact with humans or domesticated animals to Habersham County Animal Care and Control at (706) 839-0195. You should also notify Animal Control if you notice wildlife displaying abnormal signs of behavior.
The most common rabies carriers are bats, skunks, raccoons and foxes.
The law requires pets to be vaccinated against rabies. This can be done at your local vet’s office, animal clinics or the Humane Society.
