Sarah Yurisic, DAHI Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Posted: Wed Nov 21 2007 3:45 p.m. Post subject: Rabies Alert: Rabid Raccoon In Forest County November 21, 2007 Please be advised that a RACCOON found 12 miles north of Tionesta in Kingsley Township, Forest County has tested positive for rabies. The homeowner’s daughter and her boyfriend found the raccoon in the family’s barn before it grabbed the family’s beagle and proceeded to drag it into the field. While the boyfriend was attempting to shoot the raccoon it began to charge him and his girlfriend. The homeowner’s daughter and the boyfriend both had blood splashed on them from the raccoon and have started the rabies post exposure series. The beagle was unvaccinated and will be put down. A second vaccinated dog that was nosing around the raccoon after it was dead has received a rabies booster and will be quarantined for 90 days. Pennsylvania law requires that all dogs and non-feral cats three months of age and older are rabies vaccinated and that booster vaccinations are administered periodically to maintain lifelong immunity. Rabies vaccine is also available for other species. As it is not possible to determine if this raccoon may have exposed other wild or domestic animals, please consult your private veterinary practitioner to determine your animal's needs. This is of great importance, as you need to assure that your pet is not a potential source of rabies for your family and neighbors. If you have any additional questions regarding this incident, please contact Dr. Karen Martin at 814-332-6890. Sarah Yurisic, DAHI Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture

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Wednesday, November 21, 2007