GASTON COUNTY, N.C. – On September 20, at approximately 4:00 pm, Gaston County Police Animal Care and Enforcement received a call from the 2300 block of County Line Road Kings Mountain, NC in reference to a deceased raccoon found in the resident’s yard, possibly killed by one of the family dogs. There was no human contact with the raccoon and the animal owner did not witness the four family dogs have any interaction with the raccoon.
Animal Care and Enforcement Specialists investigated the incident and impounded the raccoon on September 20. The raccoon was sent to the NC Laboratory of Public Health in Raleigh, when the lab opened on September 23. The official laboratory results were received on September 24 at approximately 12:45 pm, indicating that the raccoon tested positive for rabies. As a precaution the four family dogs received a rabies booster shot from a veterinarian.
Animal Care and Enforcement completed a neighborhood canvass in the area of County Line Road Kings Mountain, 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 pet’s health and safety, as well as the health and safety of their owners and community.
This represents the fifth confirmed rabies case in Gaston County this year.
