Rabid raccoon reported in South Hall

GAINESVILLE - There has been a second confirmed case of rabies in Hall County this year.

Rick Phillips of Hall County Animal Control said Wednesday morning a raccoon killed a few days ago by two dogs at a house in the 5500 block of Lakeshore Road near the Gwinnett County line did have the disease.

Phillips said the raccoon entered a pen where the dogs were being kept and the dogs killed the animal. Phillips said "luckily" the dogs were "current" on their rabies vaccine.

He said the area where the incident occurred is heavily populated and that his office will be conducting a house-to-house canvass to let residents know what has happened and what symptoms to look for if they suspect a wild or domestic animal has rabies. Some of the telltale signs include foaming at the mouth and aggressive behavior.

Any suspicious animals should be reported to Hall County Animal Control at 770-531-6830.