THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, February 3, 1996 TAG: 9602030404
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B5 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: METRO BRIEFS
DATELINE: SUFFOLK LENGTH: Short : 29 lines
Rabies has been confirmed in a raccoon that was killed Thursday by a dog in the Elephant's Fork area.
The Health Department said that the dog has a current rabies vaccination and that it has been quarantined.
No people were exposed, the department said.
It urged citizens to exercise caution in the presence of stray or wild animals and to avoid unfamiliar animals. Raccoons and bats are considered high-risk wild animals for rabies.
When a person is bitten or scratched by a stray, the department said, it is important that they to be able to identify the animal.
Failure to locate an animal that has bitten someone may necessitate rabies treatment. If the animal can be found, it is quarantined for 10 days, and the costly treatment may be avoided.
Suspicious incidents may be reported to the Suffolk Animal Control Office, 925-6416; or Suffolk Health Department, 925-2311. by CNB