Rabid raccoon found in Mount Holly barn

A rabid raccoon was recently found in a family’s barn in Mount Holly.

The animal was discovered around 9:30 a.m. Saturday at a property in the 1500 block of Stanley Lucia Road.

Gaston County Police Animal Care and Enforcement responded to the call and seized the raccoon before sending it to the NC Laboratory of Public Health in Raleigh where it was tested.

Researchers received the test results Tuesday afternoon, which showed the raccoon tested positive for the disease.

There was no human contact with the raccoon and the animal’s owner did not witness the family dog having any interaction with him.

As a precaution, the dog received a rabies booster vaccination from a veterinarian.

Animal Care and Enforcement completed a community survey in the area of Stanley Lucia Road, Mount Holly, to notify the community of the positive rabies results and to verify rabies vaccinations for pets in the area.

Gaston County Animal Care and Enforcement also notified the Gaston County Department Health and Human Services of the incident.

The Gaston County Police Department Animal Care and Enforcement Division emphasizes the importance of a valid rabies vaccination for the health and safety of all pets, as well as the health and safety of their owners and the community, according to a news release.

This is the third confirmed case of rabies in Gaston County this year.

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