Two rabid racoons found in Mar Mac
By Staff Reports
Published in News on March 12, 2009 1:46 PM
Two rabid raccoons, both of whom had contact with local family pets, have been found this month in the Mar Mac area, Wayne County Department of Animal Control Services announced Wednesday.
"Most pet owners don't know what the law actually says when it comes to rabies," said Justin L. Scally, director of Animal Control Services for Wayne County. "Rabies is a deadly disease that is not only harmful to your pets but to you and your family as well."
Meanwhile, the county's annual rabies vaccination clinics have been scheduled for March 28 and April 4.
The first raccoon tested positive for rabies after having contact with a pet dog in the 6000 block of Highland Avenue on March 3. A second raccoon later tested positive after being picked up by animal control officers on March 9 from the 1600 block of Arrington Bridge Road.
"For pets that do not have a current rabies vaccination that are exposed to rabies, the law says that the pet must be euthanized or placed under a strict six-month quarantine," Scally said.
Most pet owners don't know that every dog and cat that is over the age of four months must have a current rabies vaccination, he said.
The Saturday, March 28, clinics will be held at Eastern Wayne High School from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.; the old Pikeville School building from 1 to 3 p.m.; and the Animal Adoption and Education Center from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.
The Saturday, April 4, clinic will be held at Grantham Elementary School from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. and Southern Wayne High School from 1 to 3 p.m.
The cost of the vaccinations will be $5 per dog or cat. Any animal receiving its first rabies vaccination should receive another dose one year later and then once every three years thereafter.
Proof of prior rabies vaccination is required to receive a three-year vaccine, Scally said.