Community Corner

News Nearby: Pickens Resident Exposed To Rabies

A raccoon climbed into a pen, got into a fight with three dogs and bit the dogs' owner.

A Pickens County resident was exposed to rabies last month, according to the North Georgia Health District.

The agency said the resident was bitten by a raccoon on Friday, Nov. 29 at a home off East Church Road in Jasper.

"The raccoon got into a fight with three dogs when it climbed into the dogs’ pen and then it bit the dog owner while the owner attempted to break up the fight," the health district said in a news release.

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A Jasper animal control officer was called to the scene and euthanized the raccoon. Since it was a holiday weekend, the body of the animal was turned over to Pickens County Environmental Health Manager Jan Stephens on Monday, Dec. 2. 

Stephens sent the carcass to the Georgia Department of Public Health's laboratory for testing. The raccoon tested positive for rabies on Tuesday, Dec. 3.

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The victim received a tetanus shot, and is also getting post-exposure treatment for the disease.

The health department is evaluating the vaccination records of the three dogs, which are all also being monitored by Pickens County Environmental Health Department. 

The North Georgia Health District reminds the public that the best way to prevent exposure is to maintain rabies vaccination in pets and to avoid contact with all unfamiliar animals. 


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