Dogs Bitten by Rabid Raccoon–

By Debbie Gilbert – White County News

In what has become a familiar scenario, a rabid raccoon attacked a dog on Monday, March 19, making it the third confirmed case of rabies in White County this year.

Then on Thursday, March 22, another dog was bitten by a rabid raccoon in the same area of the county, raising the 2018 total of rabies cases to four.

Sean Sullivan, the county’s environmental health manager, said the March 19 incident happened on Frank Black Road, which is northeast of Asbestos Road. The attack involved the family’s pet beagle.

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“The dog’s owners heard something in the crawlspace of their house around lunchtime,” he said. “During their investigation of the noise, the raccoon bit the homeowner’s dog on the nose and would not let go. They were able to separate the dog and the raccoon and put the raccoon down (killed it).

“The homeowners stated that the raccoon appeared sick and was acting odd. The dog was taken immediately to the vet, and the vet reported the incident to White County Environmental Health.”

Sullivan shipped the animal’s brain tissue to the Georgia Public Health Lab in Decatur, which confirmed on Thursday, March 22, that the raccoon was infected with rabies.

The dog was current on its rabies vaccinations but received a precautionary booster shot.

The March 22 incident happened on Eds Drive, which is near Albert Reid Road. Sullivan said the homeowners heard a commotion and went outside to find a raccoon inside their fenced-in goat pen. One of their dogs ran into the goat yard and was attacked and bitten by the raccoon. The homeowners killed the raccoon and contacted Environmental Health. Lab results on March 27 confirmed that the animal tested positive for rabies.

Sullivan said the homeowners had two other dogs who were outside when the attack took place. There was no evidence that they had come into contact with the raccoon, but since that possibility could not be ruled out, all three dogs were taken to the vet. The one who had been bitten by the raccoon was current on his shots, as was the other adult dog. But the third dog, a puppy, had not yet been vaccinated, so it has been placed into a six-month quarantine.

Nuisance Wildlife Removal Inc is fully licensed and insured. We are a locally and family-owned business that has been operating in Manatee and Sarasota county for 20 years. We are the REAL experts with the LONG-TERM experience that can save you from costly mistakes. Don’t trust your home or budget to a new guy on the block. For raccoon trapping and removal in Longboat Key call today and speak with a trusted professional.

Sullivan also called the Georgia Department of Agriculture to examine the goats, since it was not clear whether any of them had been bitten by the raccoon.

All four of White County’s rabies cases so far this year have occurred in the same general area, within a few miles of Asbestos Road (in the vicinity of Yonah Preserve). The other two incidents were on Willett Drive and Ray Pardue Road.

Also, all four cases involved dog-versus-raccoon confrontations, and the raccoons were unusually aggressive and tenacious.

Sullivan said all White County residents who own dogs or cats are urged to get their pets vaccinated immediately if they have not already done so. An unvaccinated pet who is exposed to rabies must be either euthanized or placed in a very strict (and expensive) six-month quarantine.

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 Keep Reading to learn:

How Do You Keep Raccoons Out of Your Yard?

Raccoons are Omnivores

Raccoons are omnivores, which means that they eat a wide variety of foods including both plants and animals. Their diet is mainly fruits, nuts, worms, insects, amphibians, fish, birds eggs and even an occasional small mammal or bird. If raccoons find that there is an abundant source of food on your property,  they will probably take it rather than make the effort to hunt. This also includes your vegetable gardens– they look at it as a food buffet or in that case a salad bar!  The biggest mistake people make is leaving pet food outdoors. Trash is another lure for the furry fellows. It is widely recommended that you get secured trash can lids and keep it secured in the garage if at all possible. Bird feeders are also no-nos for anyone who does not want to attract the “wrong” type of wildlife to their area. How do you keep raccoons out of your yard? #1 Remove any possible food source.

Raccoons are Nocturnal

Nocturnal creatures prefer to hunt when it is dark outside so that they are camouflaged and it makes them feel safer. If a raccoon should meander into your area, you could dissuade them from advancing by utilizing motion lights and or loud sounds. A simple light by the door may not be enough for a stubborn raccoon though. Auto lights activated by motion in several areas are more likely to startle them and keep them away. Since they don’t like human interaction, the Humane Society even recommends putting an am radio near your trash can with a talk station on. How do you keep raccoons out of your yard? #2 Remove their nocturnal and quiet habitat.

Fences

The everyday normal fence does not help in keeping raccoons out because they are such good climbers as well as diggers. If you are having an ongoing problem with raccoons in various areas such as gardens, yards, homes etc., either chicken wiring or an electrified fence is a good choice. How do you keep raccoons out of your yard? #3 Install chicken wire or electric fencing to prevent them getting into places where they are not wanted!

Thank you for reading this post!

GOT RACCOONS? 

1-866-263-WILD

Nuisance Wildlife Removal Inc is fully licensed and insured. We are a locally and family-owned business that has been operating in Manatee and Sarasota county for 20 years. We are the real experts and have the experience to prove it. Call today to speak with a trusted professional. 

To read part II of our Raccoon FAQ installment series “Are Raccoons Dangerous During the Day?” click here

To read part I of our Raccoon FAQ installment series “How to Get Rid of a Raccoon?” click here