GASTON COUNTY, N.C. — A Belmont, North Carolina, family had to euthanize their dog after a raccoon it came in contact with tested positive for rabies.
According to Gaston County Police, on Sunday October 20th, Animal Care and Enforcement specialists responded to reports of a German Shepherd playing with a dead raccoon at a residence on Oakwood Drive in Belmont.
The dead raccoon was sent to the North Carolina Laboratory of Public Health in Raleigh and on Tuesday, October 22nd, the raccoon specimen tested positive for rabies.
It is unclear how the raccoon died but a neighbor told Animal Care and Enforcement that the German Shepherd was playing with the rabid animal by repeatedly throwing the raccoon up in the air.
The adult German Shepherd did not have current rabies vaccinations and was euthanized. Animal Care and Enforcement issued civil citations for failure to vaccinate an animal and failure to purchase county tags.
Animal Care and Enforcement notified the community in the Oakwood Drive area of the positive rabies results and verified rabies vaccinations for family animals.
Gaston County Animal Care and Enforcement also notified Gaston County Department Health and Human
Services for their regular follow up investigation.
The Gaston County Police Department Animal Care and Enforcement unit says it is important to have a valid rabies vaccination for your pet’s health and safety as well as the health and safety of the community.
