Gaston County officials confirm 6th rabies case of 2024

GASTON COUNTY, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — Gaston County officials have confirmed their sixth case of rabies in the county this year.

On Saturday, Nov. 16, at approximately 2:30 p.m., the Gaston County Police Animal Care and Enforcement received a call from the 700 block of Riddle Street in Mount Holly in reference to a dead raccoon found in the resident's yard. They said the raccoon was possibly killed by one of the three family dogs.

Officials say there was no human contact with the raccoon.

Specialists with Animal Care and Enforcement investigated the incident and impounded the raccoon before sending it to the NC Laboratory of Public Health in Raleigh on Nov. 18. The official lab results were received on Tuesday, indicating that the raccoon was positive for rabies.

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As a precaution, the two vaccinated family dogs received a rabies booster shot and the third unvaccinated dog was euthanized due to the exposure to the raccoon.

Animal Care and Enforcement completed a neighborhood canvass in the area of Riddle St to notify the community of the positive rabies results and verify rabies vaccinations for family animals in the area.

The Gaston County Department of Health and Human Services was notified about the incident. The Gaston County Police Department 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.