Two rabid raccoons and one rabid bat were found in Orange County. One raccoon was found Friday, May 16 near NC 54 and Dodson’s Crossroads in Chapel Hill. The bat was found Saturday, May 17 on NC 86 north of I-40. The second raccoon was found Sunday, May 18 near Burton Road and NC 86.
North Carolina law requires that an unvaccinated dog or cat reasonably suspected of being exposed to the rabies virus be either quarantined for six months or destroyed. If a vaccinated animal is exposed to rabies, it must receive a booster shot within 72 hours of exposure. In the first of these cases, the dog did not receive a booster shot within 72 hours and so must either be euthanized or quarantined. In the third, the dog was not vaccinated and was euthanized. Animal Services director Bob Marotto reminds pet owners, “Ensuring that cats as well as dogs are current on their rabies vaccinations is one of the most important responsibilities of a pet owner.â€
These are the seventh, eighth and ninth positive rabies tests for Orange County in 2008 and the fourth, fifth and sixth positives for the month of May. The county will offer four low-cost vaccination clinics in June. See page four for clinic dates.