Rabid Raccoon Found Near Atmore

September 28, 2012

A raccoon in Escambia County, Ala., has tested positive for rabies.

The discovery of the rabid raccoon in Escambia County has prompted health department officials to warn area residents to have their pets immunized and to avoid handling wildlife and stray animals.

“Vaccination of domestic dogs and cats against rabies remains the best method of providing a protective buffer between wildlife rabies and humans.  State law requires that dogs and cats three months of age and older be vaccinated for rabies annually,” said Environmentalist Jason Gurganus of the Escambia County (Ala.) Health Department.

The health department said rccoons, bats, foxes and skunks are most often responsible for transmitting the virus to domesticated animals and humans. The public should report any known or suspected exposure to wildlife to the Escambia County (Ala.) Health Department at (251) 368-9188.

Comments

5 Responses to “Rabid Raccoon Found Near Atmore”

  1. Missysmom on September 29th, 2012 10:30 am

    Thanks for letting us know the location of the raccoon.

  2. Country Bred and Born on September 29th, 2012 10:14 am

    Can we shoot them in the city?

    I live in town (Atmore) and have always had a problem with raccoons and possums coming on my back porch and eating my cat food. Have only been successful once in trapping one of the possums. Had to chase that one all over the back yard. Then I found out possums don’t have rabies. Took him many miles out of town and released him (or her) in a wooded area. Have caught several neighbors’ cats. lol

    I also have a cap pistol that I try to scare them with – they’re right back the next night.

  3. Shoot Him on September 28th, 2012 5:51 pm

    If you live in the country……shoot him!!!

  4. fnb on September 28th, 2012 11:16 am

    There was a small raccoon in my yard on Sunday about 1 pm in Flomaton. It was makeing the most horrible sound and as soon as I saw what it was, my grandmother and I went in and called Animal Control they didn’t answer. So we called the Flomaton Police Department to see what we could do or who we could call. They said that their officers wern’t trained to deal with things like that but they would let someone know. Needless to say that conversation was over, and when I went back out the raccoon as gone. I have been keeping an eye out but I haven’t seen it since.

  5. Eunice Edgar on September 28th, 2012 10:10 am

    This raccoon was at our house. We live on Cowpen Creek Road at Canoe.