A raccoon found in Chapel Hill tested positive for rabies on Wednesday at the State Laboratory of Public Health.
The raccoon was submitted after a resident in the vicinity of Meachum and Damascus Church roads saw a neighbor’s two dogs fighting with it in the woods. The resident contacted the dogs’ owner and Animal Control, who removed the raccoon for testing.
The dogs were currently vaccinated against rabies and will receive booster shots within 120 hours of exposure, which is required under North Carolina law. Animals exposed to rabies that have not been vaccinated must either be destroyed or quarantined for six months.
This is the first positive rabies test that Orange County has received this year. If any possible exposure to a bat, raccoon or fox is suspected, call Animal Control at 245-2075 or call 911.