Another rabid raccoon in Pike

Another raccoon tested positive for rabies in Pike County recently after a raccoon attacked a miniature poodle at a residence on Oak Grove Path. The home is located off Etheridge Mill Road and the raccoon was confirmed as rabid by Environmental Health County Manager Ben Trotter. ’The raccoon was found in a resident’s yard and evidently it had attacked their pet miniature poodle,’ he said. ‘The poodle did not suffer any suspected bite wounds but was slightly bruised and injured according to the vet. I am not clear on the details leading up to the attack. I have asked the dog owner to quarantine the dog for six months.’Another raccoon was attacked and killed by fenced dogs on Eppinger Bridge Road in Concord. That raccoon was tested and confirmed as rabid March 10. The dogs at the residence had all received rabies vaccinations but are being quarantined. The Georgia House passed House Bill 160 which will repeal a provision prohibiting the trapping of raccoons. The bill has been sent to the Georgia Senate for approval. If passed, the bill will lift a 35-year ban on trapping raccoons and would allow for trappers to use steel traps to catch them.