CHAPEL HILL – Orange County Animal Services is reporting another positive rabies test, the sixth in the county this year.

The most recent case originated on May 24, when a resident and her dog encountered an aggressive raccoon while walking on the Eno River Trail. The dog killed the raccoon; Animal Control removed the raccoon for testing and confirmed it was rabid this week.

Fortunately the dog was vaccinated for rabies, but it was injured in the attack.

This is the sixth confirmed rabies case in Orange County this year, about one per month. That’s on par with last year, when there were 12 confirmed cases in the county.

Orange County Animal Services is taking the opportunity to remind residents to have their pets vaccinated: dogs, cats, and ferrets older than four months are legally required to be up to date on their rabies vaccine. The Animal Services Department holds periodic low-cost vaccination clinics throughout the year; their next one is on Saturday, June 15, from 9:00 a.m. to noon at the Animal Services Center on Eubanks Road in Chapel Hill.

For more information and future clinic dates, visit OrangeCountyNC.gov/animalservices.