The Latest:
Following Tuesday’s rabies alert, CMPD’s Animal Care & Control now says the raccoon captured on Larkfield Lane on March 22nd DID NOT test positive for rabies. The alert issued Tuesday night to residents in that neighborhood has been canceled.
AC&C said in a release, “Information provided to the Heath Department on two separate specimens that were sent for rabies testing was inadvertently reported incorrectly from the lab that performs the rabies testing.”
The animal that tested positive for rabies was captured in the Brookfield Place neighborhood. That raccoon was captured on March 24th after entering a carport and coming in contact with the owner’s dog.
That dog was current on vaccinations, officials say, and has received a booster within the recommended 96-hour period after exposure.
Original Story (March 26, 2019):
CHARLOTTE, NC — The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department’s Animal Care & Control is issuing a rabies alert to south Charlotte residents after a raccoon tested positive for the deadly virus.
The animal was captured in the Larkfield Lane neighborhood after officials say it attacked two dogs around 6pm on March 22nd.
Both dogs were current on their vaccinations and have since received a booster vaccination, which was given within 96-hours of exposure.
CMPD AC&C says this is the third animal to test positive for rabies in Mecklenburg County so far this year. In 2018, officials say there were 14 confirmed cases.
Pet owners are reminded to keep their pets up to date on vaccinations.
AC&C offers a free monthly clinic for Mecklenburg County residents to receive rabies vaccinations for their pets. This clinic takes place the second Saturday of each month from 8:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. at the animal shelter located at 8315 Byrum Drive – Charlotte, NC 28217. $10 Microchips and free pet I.D. tags are also provided at this clinic.
