A female pit bull dog was potentially exposed to rabies in a raccoon found dead at a home on Rockingham Way in the Coosawattee River Resort Subdivision near Ellijay.

On the morning of August 18, the homeowner awoke to find her female dog in close proximity to the dead raccoon. Gilmer County Environmental Health officials later found puncture marks on the raccoon, which they believe were made by the dog in a confrontation with the animal. The raccoon tested positive for rabies on August 20, and since the pit bull was not current on its rabies vaccination, the owner was supposed to have decided whether to have the dog euthanized or placed in a state-mandated quarantine for six months. However, the dog has now been killed by lightning, so no further action is required.

THE NEW GILMER COUNTY ANIMAL SHELTER WILL CELEBRATE ITS GRAND OPENING BY OFFERING $10 RABIES SHOTS FOR CATS AND DOGS ON SATURDAY, AUGUST 29 FROM 12 TO 3 PM!

THE NEW GILMER COUNTY ANIMAL SHELTER IS LOCATED AT 4152 HWY 52 EAST (FIRST ROAD ON THE RIGHT JUST PAST THE JAIL).

RABIES IS A DEADLY DISEASE. IT IS CRITICAL THAT PET OWNERS VACCINATE AND KEEP THEIR PETS VACCINATED AGAINST RABIES.

THE APPALACHIAN ANIMAL HOSPITAL IS SPONSORING THIS REDUCED-COST RABIES SHOT CLINIC AND WILL BE ASSISTED BY GILMER COUNTY ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH.

FOR MORE DETAILS, PLEASE CALL THE ANIMAL SHELTER AT (706) 635-2166.

A three year old male cat in Gilmer County was recently exposed to a bat that later tested positive for rabies, according to Gilmer County Environmental Health officials.

“The cat’s owner found it playing with the bat in their yard in the Craigtown Road/52 West area on July 30,” said Andrea Wheeler, Gilmer County Environmental Health Manager. “The owner contacted our department where the bat was shipped for rabies testing and it was found to be positive for rabies on August 5.”