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Rabid Raccoon Found in Columbia County

The Columbia County Health Department has confirmed that a raccoon that was in contact with two dogs in the county earlier this week has tested positive for rabies. Health officials…

Raccoon

Another Rabid Raccoon Found in Columbia County

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The Columbia County Health Department has confirmed that a raccoon that was in contact with two dogs in the county earlier this week has tested positive for rabies.

Health officials say the raccoon was spotted fighting with two dogs on May 8 in a populated area of Rhodes Farm subdivision off Evans-to-Locks Road.

The raccoon was sent to the Georgia Public Health Laboratory in Decatur, Georgia where testing confirmed the animal had rabies.  Columbia County Health Department officials confirmed the dog's rabies vaccinations are up-to-date.  Officials are asking all residents to make sure pets are vaccinated against rabies and to avoid all contact with wild animals.

Report any contact of humans and domestic animals with wild animals to Columbia County Health Department Environmental Health Section office at 706-868-3330 or Columbia County Animal Services at 706-868-3375.

You can get more information about rabies by visiting the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's website, www.cdc.govncidod/dvrd/rabies.

Mary Liz is the News Director and Co-Host of Augusta’s Morning News on WGAC. She spent 11 years as a News Director at an Indiana Radio Station. She has also worked as a former Police and Courts Reporter for The Republic Newspaper and Assistant Marketing Director of Merchants National Bank in Indianapolis. Mary Liz focuses most on local breaking news stories, feature stories on upcoming events, or community-service related organizations and the people who serve them. She has been with WGAC since 1995.