Rabid Raccoon Found in Busy Columbia County Neighborhood

The Columbia County Health Department has confirmed a rabid raccoon was found recently on a public walking path near Seaton Avenue at Brentford Avenue in the Canterbury Farms Subdivision off Chamblin Road in Grovetown.

The raccoon appeared ill, but did not have any contact with humans or animals and was captured without incident by Columbia County Animal Services workers.

The raccoon was sent to the Georgia Public Health Laboratory in Decatur for rabies testing.  Test results confirmed the raccoon was positive for rabies.

The Columbia County Health Department reminds pet owners to make sure your dogs and cats are up-to-date on their rabies vaccinations.  Never let pets roam free.  That's when they are more likely to have contact with a rabid, wild animal.  Avoid feeding your animals outside, since that could draw stray and wild animals to your property.  Also, teach children not to approach animals they don't know.

Report any contact of humans and domestic animals with wild animals to the Columbia County Health Department Environmental Health Section office at 706-868-3330 or Columbia County Animal Services at 706-541-4077.