Possible Rabid Raccoon Spotted

Toccoa-Stephens County Animal Control is confirming that a possible rabid raccoon was reported over the weekend in an area of Toccoa.

According to Toccoa-Stephens County Humane Shelter Director Jeff Roberts, the possible rabid raccoon was sighted and reported to law enforcement over the weekend in the area of Poplar Street and Hilltop Way.

Law enforcement then forwarded the report on to animal control.

Roberts said animal control followed up on the report, but was told that the animal had left the premises at that time and Animal Control could not locate anything, so a trap was not put out.

He said that the person who reported it was told that if the animal was seen again, to contact animal control and they would attempt to trap the animal.

Roberts said that people should call Animal Control if they see an animal that they have reason to be concerned about from a rabies perspective.

The number for Animal Control is 706-282-3275.

According to Roberts, there are a number of symptoms people should watch for if an animal was exposed to rabies.

Those include if an animal stops eating or drinking, becomes unusually vicious, walks in a strange manner from what its normal walk is, slobbers from the mouth, or exhibits any strange or unusual behavior.