A Clarkston woman was bitten on her index finger after attempting to help a raccoon that appeared ill. The raccoon was picked up by authorities and the positive rabies test result was received Tuesday, March 18, according to DeKalb County Animal Control.

Another rabid raccoon was found in the yard of a man residing in Avondale Estates near the intersection of Covington Road and Clarendon Avenue. The man's dog was in the yard with the raccoon, but authorities could not confirm if the dog had been exposed. Since the dog is not current on its rabies vaccination, it will be quarantined at a veterinary clinic.

DeKalb County law requires annual rabies vaccinations for dogs, cats and ferrets. Unvaccinated pets that are bitten or scratched by a rabid animal are quarantined for a mandatory six-month period or they may be destroyed. However, vaccinated dogs, cats and ferrets exposed to a rabid animal's scratch or bite face a shorter quarantine period of 45 days.

The Board of Health recommends that area residents who have outdoor pets observe their animal's behavior closely. Pets should not be allowed to run free. People should notify DeKalb County Animal Control about any pet or wild animal that acts unusually nervous or aggressive or has excessive drooling or foaming at the mouth.

Call (404) 294-2996 on weekdays and Saturdays or (404) 294-2519 during evenings and on Sundays.

Area residents are also advised not to leave trash outside and not to feed wild animals. Children playing outdoors should avoid all strange animals, including cats and dogs. Rabies, a sometimes fatal disease, occurs mostly in animals, but may be transmitted to humans by contact with a rabid animal.
For more information about DeKalb County Board of Health services, call (404) 294-3700.

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