During a recent incident in the Clear Creek Village Subdivision in Chatsworth, a family encountered a raccoon in their backyard, leading to multiple injuries.
On Saturday sometime between 6 and 7 p.m. the family’s children were playing with the raccoon and one child was scratched. The mother and father attempted to remove the animal but were bitten and scratched.
All family members are receiving post-exposure measures designed to preserve health and prevent the spread of the disease as a precaution.
According to Krista Ray of Murray County Environmental Health, this serves as a reminder to residents to avoid handling wild animals as they can carry diseases such as rabies. Rabies if left untreated is almost always fatal. Additionally, it is essential to ensure pets are up-to-date on their rabies vaccinations to protect both them and their owners from potential exposure.
Stay safe by avoiding contact with unfamiliar animals and by keeping pets vaccinated against rabies.
Submitted by the North Georgia Health District 1-2.