In addition to the two cases released yesterday, Orange County Animal Services have received another positive rabies test result of the year, bringing up the number of confirmed rabies incidents in the county to 18.

The Director of Orange County Animal Services, Bob Marotto, told WHCL what happened in the latest confirmed case that took place on Tuesday, August 5:

“It involved a fox that was impounded after being killed by some residents in southern part of the county in Carrboro,” says Marotto. “The residents killed the fox because the fox had latched onto the dog in their yard, and would not release the dog. To free the dog from the fox, the folks used some implements to separate the fox and the dog resulting in the death of the fox.”

The Orange County Health Department contacted the dog’s owners to check for risk of human exposure to rabies. The dog involved in this case was currently vaccinated against rabies and will receive a booster shot in accordance with rabies laws in North Carolina.

“I think what I would emphasize is, not only the importance of pet vaccination, and then if there is an exposure, boostering,” says Marotto, “but I think what we want to remind people is to have their pets supervised at all times when they’re outside in order to try and avert situations in which their pets may either pursue a wild animal, or a wild animal may pursue their pets.”

On Thursday, August 14, from 3 – 5 p.m., the Orange County Animal Services Center will host another Low-Cost Rabies Vaccination Clinic. The center is located at 1601 Eubanks Road in Chapel Hill. There will be a $10 cost for rabies vaccinations, and microchips will be available for $25.

For more information, please call Orange County Animal Services at 919-942-7387 or click here.