A raccoon found in Chapel Hill tested positive for rabies last week at the State Laboratory of Public Health.
The raccoon was submitted after a resident in the vicinity of Southbridge Drive and Culbreth Road saw her dog barking at it under her deck. The resident retrieved the dog and contacted Animal Control, who removed the raccoon for testing.
The dog’s rabies vaccination had lapsed, so it must be either quarantined for six months or destroyed, in accordance with North Carolina law. By contrast, animals exposed to rabies that are current on their vaccinations must receive booster shots within 120 hours of exposure.
This is the third 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.