DALTON, Ga. – Local officials are urging anyone who may have been exposed this week to a rabid raccoon in Al Rollins Park on Threadmill Road in Whitfield County to call 911 immediately.
A 6-year-old boy is already undergoing treatment for rabies after being bitten and scratched multiple times by the raccoon Tuesday afternoon at the park, according to Whitfield County Communications Director Mitch Talley.
“We hear that possibly a young female may have also been scratched by a raccoon, and if that is the case, her family needs to contact 911 as soon as possible to begin treatment,” said Diane Franklin, Whitfield County Animal Shelter rabies control officer.
The raccoon, described by Franklin as a “huge male,” attacked the boy about 12:30 or 1 p.m. and inflicted multiple bites and scratches on him.
“He had gone to the stream to look at the water,” Franklin said, “and the raccoon came out of a culvert and attacked him unprovoked. His father reacted appropriately and was able to contain the animal because he knew it would have to be tested. Fortunately, the father was not bitten or scratched.”