Lincoln County has reported three more instances of rabies, bringing the total this year to a dozen, according to local officials. On September 7, a concerning interaction involving a skunk and a dog door on Bess Chapel Church Road was reported to Animal Services. Testing later confirmed the skunk was rabid. No human or pet exposures were documented in this case; however, residents are advised to secure their pet doors to prevent wildlife entry.
A rabid raccoon, also reported on September 7, exhibited aggression toward a human before clashing with a dog on Curve View Road. The dog involved in the altercation was out-of-date with its rabies vaccine but has since received a booster shot and is under a 45-day observation period. Animal Services received the positive rabies test results for the raccoon last Wednesday and stressed that there was no human contact. Furthermore, on September 9, a resident reported an aggressive and neurologically distressed kitten that had a prior altercation with a skunk. The animal was subsequently euthanized and tested positive for rabies, prompting an exposure protocol and data analysis from the State Public Health Veterinarian's office.
In light of these incidents, authorities are urging all Lincoln County pet owners to verify and keep their pets' rabies vaccinations current. Lincoln County Animal Services offers $10 rabies vaccinations for dogs and cats, urging the community to take advantage of this opportunity. They've also highlighted the signs of rabies in wild animals, including unusual aggression or friendliness and neurological symptoms, and encourage residents to avoid wild animals and report abnormal behavior to Animal Services immediately.
To aid in vaccination efforts, Animal Services will provide free rabies vaccinations through October 3, with walk-ins welcome and Saturday appointments available. On October 4th, a free clinic will be hosted at the Lincoln County Health Department for local residents. More details about the vaccination schedule and the October 4th clinic can be found on Lincoln County's website.
