On Sunday 09/03/2023 at approximately 7:51pm the Gaston County Police Animal Care and Enforcement unit received a call from the 700 block of Pinnacle Road Kings Mountain, NC 28086 in reference to a family dog that bit and killed a raccoon in their yard. The dog was current on its rabies vaccination and received a booster shot shortly after the incident.
Animal Care and Enforcement Specialists investigated the incident and impounded the deceased raccoon on 09/3/2023. The raccoon was sent to the NC Laboratory of Public Health in Raleigh. The official laboratory results were received on 09/6/2023 at approximately 12:30pm indicating that the raccoon tested positive for rabies.
Animal Care and Enforcement completed a neighborhood canvass in the area of Pinnacle Road Kings Mountain, NC to notify the community of the positive rabies results and verify rabies vaccinations for family animals in the area.
Gaston County Animal Care and Enforcement also notified Gaston County Department Health and Human Services about this incident, so they can complete their regular follow up investigation.
The Gaston County Police Department Animal Care and Enforcement Division stresses the importance of having a valid rabies vaccination for all of your pet’s health and safety as well as the health and safety of their owners and community.
This represents only the third confirmed rabies case in Gaston County this year.
No further information is available at this time.