GASTON COUNTY, N.C. On Friday 12/08/2023, at approximately 5:30pm, Gaston County Police Animal Care and Enforcement received a call from the 700 block of South Point Road Belmont, NC 28012, in reference to a raccoon that was whining, appeared to be having trouble moving, and hiding under the residentβs porch. A resident was also bitten by the raccoon.
Animal Care and Enforcement Specialists investigated the incident and impounded the raccoon on 12/08/2023. The raccoon was sent to the NC Laboratory of Public Health in Raleigh, when the lab opened on 12/11/23. The official laboratory results were received on 12/12/2023 at approximately 4:00 pm, indicating that the raccoon tested positive for rabies.
Animal Care and Enforcement completed a neighborhood canvass in the area of South Point Road Belmont, NC to notify the community of the positive rabies results, and verify rabies vaccinations for family animals in the area. Gaston County Animal Care and Enforcement also notified Gaston County Department Health and Human Services about the incident.
The Gaston County Police Department Animal Care and Enforcement Division stresses the importance of having a valid rabies vaccination for all petβs health and safety, as well as the health and safety of their owners and community.
This represents the fourth confirmed rabies case in Gaston County this year, which is down from 10 cases last year.
