MILTON, Ga.,None — A north Fulton County neighborhood is on alert after a dog was attacked by a rabid raccoon.
Rabies warnings have been posted on hundreds of mailboxes in the Oaks at White Columns neighborhood in Milton.
Debbie Parker told Channel 2's Diana Davis that loves her dog Smokey, so when she saw the warning flyers from Fulton County Animal Control in her neighborhood, she was on edge.
Parker said she didn't realize rabid animals were in the area.
Milton's Little River Animal Hospital veterinarian Hannis Mize said he tested the raccoon that bit the dog and it came up positive for rabies.
"They found bite wounds on the dog and then found the raccoon dead in the yard," Mize said.
The dog is under quarantine, but should be OK, despite being overdue on its rabies vaccination.
Unvaccinated animals that are bitten by rabid animals are euthanized, but the rabies shot is 100 percent effective in preventing the virus in dogs and cats.
Rabies is most commonly carried by foxes, raccoons, skunks and bats. One rabid animal in the area may mean that more are also carrying the virus.
Mize said residents should be on the lookout for animals behaving strangely.
"If they come out to you and look like they're interested, that's not a good sign. Just use common sense. You should not see a raccoon wandering around your yard. That's something you need to be very aware of," Mize said.
Fulton County Animal Control said it is important to remember to keep your pets' shots up to date.
WSBTV
