Tag Archive for: #granvillecountyanimalcontrol

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Fourteen Cases of Rabies Reported in Granville This Year

-Press Release, County of Granville 

With fourteen cases of rabies reported in both wild and domestic animals since February of 2018, Granville County Animal Control and Granville-Vance Public Health continue to enforce the state’s rabies law, which requires all owners of domestic dogs, cats and ferrets to have pets vaccinated by four months of age, and to maintain the animal’s current rabies vaccination status throughout its lifetime.

According to County Ordinance, an animal control officer has the power to arrest and the responsibility to enforce all state laws and all county ordinances pertaining to the ownership, control, care and custody of dogs and other animals, cooperating with the health director and other law enforcement officers within the county and adjoining areas.

Violation of the N.C. Rabies Law is a misdemeanor and anyone not in compliance may be charged. In Granville County, 17 pet owners have been issued civil citations this year and there have been nine warnings given. Court records also indicate that three cases have appeared in Granville County Court for pet owners who were in violation of this law.

Under G.S. 14-4, any person found guilty of a misdemeanor may be subject to a fine of up to $500.

“The state’s rabies law is in place to protect the health and well-being of residents and pets,” Animal Control Director Matt Katz explains. “If you or your pet contract the rabies virus, symptoms may not be obvious until it’s too late.”

The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services reports that in North Carolina, raccoon rabies is present in the raccoon population in virtually every county. While most of the Granville County confirmations have involved raccoons, it is strongly recommended that residents keep away from any wild animal.

“As diligent as our Animal Control officers are, we are not able to monitor wildlife,” Katz notes. “If you see a wild animal acting strangely – such as being out in daylight hours when it is usually nocturnal – don’t come in contact with it. Protect yourself and your family and keep your distance.”

Per Granville County ordinance, any animal bite to a human must be reported immediately to the 911 center, who notifies Animal Control for an investigation. The local health department is also contacted and closely monitors rabies cases.

“The animal control team in Granville County is quite up-to-date on laws, rules, and protocols,” said Lisa Harrison, director for Granville Vance Public Health. “We work together hand-in-hand to ensure the safety of those in our communities.”

If a domestic dog, cat or ferret bites a human and the owner does not have proof that rabies vaccines are current, the animal must be confined for observation for not less than ten days, with the local health director designating the location. If rabies does not develop within the ten-day period, the animal may be released, with the owner responsible for the cost of the confinement. If not currently vaccinated, the animal must be immunized against rabies at the end of the confinement period.

Wild animals are not subject to the ten-day confinement regulation.

If any animal – wild or domestic – is suspected of being rabid, it can be quarantined for up to six months or may be euthanized, at the discretion of the local health director. If euthanized, testing of the animal is conducted by the N.C. State Public Health Lab, and – if confirmed positive for rabies – residents of the area are notified for public health reasons. Once a rabies case has been confirmed, the director of public health has the authority to order an area-wide quarantine, where local law enforcement can impound any animal found running at large in the county.

Since the confirmed rabies cases in Granville County are widespread and not specific to one particular area, no quarantines have been issued, Harrison says, but a feral cat colony that has been exposed is being closely monitored.

“All of this can be avoided if residents follow the law and have their animals vaccinated,” Katz says. “One shot is not enough. Be sure your pet is protected by receiving all of its booster shots. If unsure of when a booster is needed, contact your local veterinarian.”

State law requires that local health directors organize or assist other county departments in organizing at least one countywide rabies clinic per year. In response to the recent number of rabies incidents, Granville County Animal Control has hosted several clinics to provide vaccinations and to educate residents about the importance of rabies vaccines.

The Granville County Animal Shelter, located at 5650 Cornwall Road in Oxford, also offers one-year rabies vaccines for dogs and cats Monday through Friday from noon until 4:30 p.m. at a cost of only $6. For more information, call 919-693-6749.

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Cat Tests Positive for Rabies in Granville Co., Residents and Bite Victim Notified

-Press Release, County of Granville

IMPORTANT NOTICE

Granville County Animal Control was called last week about a possibly rabid cat who had contact with a person in the area of Dorsey Road and Ed Harris Road. The animal was part of a larger cat colony that had not been rabies vaccinated or spayed/neutered. The cat tested positive for the rabies virus on Nov. 27. Residents of the area have been notified, as well as Granville Vance Public Health and the bite victim. Animal Control has also been working to remove the remaining cats on the property.

All pet owners are reminded to please be sure pets are rabies-vaccinated. North Carolina law requires that all dogs, cats and ferrets be vaccinated against rabies by four months of age and that vaccinations be kept current. The Granville County Animal Shelter offers one-year rabies vaccines for dogs and cats for only $6, Monday through Friday from noon until 4:30 p.m. and is located at 5650 Cornwall Road in Oxford.

For more information, call 919-693-6749. To find out when your pet needs its next booster shot, please contact your local veterinarian.

Third Annual ‘Santa Paws’ Event to be Held at Granville Expo Center

-Press Release, County of Granville

The Third Annual “Santa Paws” event will be held on Saturday, December 8 from 6:30 until 9 p.m. at the Granville County Expo and Convention Center in Oxford. Santa Claus will be making time for the dogs and cats of the Granville County Animal Shelter to help with this donation drive.

Participants are asked to please bring a donation for the Animal Shelter in exchange for a photo with Santa. Donation ideas include flea and tick treatment (no Hartz), durable dog toys, fabuloso, cat litter, cat toys, cloth towels, dish soap and paper towels.

Pets, kids and adults are welcome. There will be light hors-d’oeuvres and refreshments provided.

The Granville County Expo and Convention Center is located at 4185 Hwy 15 South in Oxford. For more details, call 919-693-6749 or visit www.granvillecounty.org.

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Granville Co. Animal Control Confirms 12th Case of Rabies

-Press Release, County of Granville

Granville County Animal Control reports the pickup of two wild animals in the past several days which tested positive for rabies.

The first case involved the pickup of a raccoon on Nov. 1 near the intersection of Tump Wilkins Road and Piney Creek Lane. Once the rabies test was confirmed, notices were provided to residents of that area. While there was no exposure to people in this incident, there are feral cats located in this vicinity. Animal Control has been coordinating with Granville Vance Public Health and the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services to determine actions to be taken regarding the feral cats in that area, as well as their possible exposure.

The second rabies case (skunk) was reported on Nov. 6, with the animal being collected near the intersection of Old Roxboro Road and Walnut Creek Road in Oxford. Animal Control officers have provided notices to nearby residents about this incident.

According to Granville County’s Animal Management Director Matt Katz, a dozen confirmed rabid animals have been reported so far this year.

North Carolina law (NCGS 130-A-185) requires that all owned dogs, cats and ferrets be vaccinated for rabies by four months of age and that all rabies vaccinations be kept current. Katz offers a reminder that the Granville County Animal Shelter provides one-year rabies vaccinations for only $6, and that one shot is not enough. If any pet owner is unsure as to when their animals need rabies booster shots, they are asked to contact their local veterinarian. Residents are also urged to stay away from wild animals, as they may be rabid or carry additional diseases.

The Granville County Animal Shelter is located at 5650 Cornwall Road in Oxford and is open to administer rabies vaccines Monday through Friday from noon until 4:30 p.m. For more information, call the Shelter at 919-693-6749.

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Rabid Raccoon Reported in Granville Co., Tenth This Year

-Press Release, Granville County

Granville County Animal Control reports the pickup of a raccoon on Thursday, November 1, 2018, which tested positive for rabies. The confirmed rabies case was reported near the intersection of Tump Wilkins Road and Piney Creek Lane. Notices were provided to residents of that area. While there was no exposure to people in this incident, there are feral cats reported in this vicinity.

North Carolina law (NCGS 130-A-185) requires that all owned dogs, cats and ferrets be vaccinated for rabies by four months of age and that all rabies vaccinations be kept current. Animal Control has been coordinating with Granville Vance Public Health and the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services to determine actions which will need to be taken regarding the feral cats in that area and their possible exposure.

According to Granville County’s Animal Management Director Matt Katz, this is the tenth confirmed rabid raccoon reported this year.

Katz offers a reminder that the Granville County Animal Shelter provides one-year rabies vaccinations for only $6, and that one shot is not enough. If any pet owner is unsure as to when their animals need rabies booster shots, they are asked to contact their local veterinarian.

The Granville County Animal Shelter is located at 5650 Cornwall Road in Oxford and is open to administer rabies vaccines Monday through Friday from noon until 4:30 p.m. For more information, call the Shelter at 919-693-6749.