By Kathy Chaffin
kchaffin@salisburypost.com
CHINA GROVE ó A dog here was euthanized after a Jan. 19 encounter with a dead raccoon that tested positive for rabies.
This was the first case of rabies reported in Rowan County so far this year.
Steve Shuffler, of 745 Old Linn Road, called Rowan County Animal Control after finding his dog, “Baby Girl,” playing with a dead raccoon. Animal Control Officer Tommy Staton said Shuffler had initially removed the raccoon from the dog and disposed of it in a wooded area at his residence, but the dog retrieved it.
Baby Girl was not current on her rabies vaccination and was held in quarantine at the Rowan Animal Shelter pending results of the raccoon’s rabies test. When the test came back positive, Staton said the dog was euthanized at the owner’s request.
State law requires that pets not current on their rabies vaccinations which come into contact with a rabid animal either be euthanized or quarantined in a veterinary clinic for six months. Depending on the size of the pet, the quarantine can cost anywhere from $2,000 to $5,000.
A total of 19 rabies cases were reported in Rowan County last year.
Anyone who suspects an animal has rabies is advised to stay away from it and call Animal Control immediately at 704-216-7768.