Two cases of rabies found in Lee County | New

A stray cat and a raccoon tested positive for rabies in two different parts of the county, prompting Lee County Animal Control officers to encourage residents to vaccinate their pets

to rabies in the area between Cool Springs Road and US 1.

Sgt. Ken Gilstrap, of the Animal Control Unit, said Monday that the cat had been picked up by a good Samaritan in Lee County and taken to Chatham County, where he bit somebody. Shortly after, the cat died and tested positive for rabies.

Prior to this, a raccoon found in the Pickett Road area, south of Carolina Trace off N.C. 87, was rabies positive, according to Gilstrap. The state of the raccoon was discovered after he fought with two dogs who were up to date on their vaccinations. The dogs received a booster shot and were placed under observation, said Gilstrap. The owner of the dogs could also have been exposed, although it is not clear if the owner has undergone treatment.

Gilstrap stated that all residents of the surrounding areas had been informed of the positive tests.

dogs and ferrets must be vaccinated against rabies. The disease, when transmitted to humans, can be fatal, but treatment is available.

Gilstrap stated that people should be cautious when they see a stray animal. Under the Lee County Ordinance, stray animals must be brought to the shelter of the county's animals at 1450 N. Horner Blvd. or Animal Services should be called at 919-775-5531 to impound the animal.

Gilstrap said that he was not sure of the last time a case of rabies locally. The Department of Health and Social Services of the North Carolina is tracking rabies cases throughout the state. In 2016, the latest figures available, there were 251 cases of rabies in the state, with only one reported in Lee County.

"We know that at any time there are animals that are enraged," he says. "It's strange that we have two of them so close."

The Sheriff's Office and the Lee County Health Department will soon be hosting a rabies clinic. Gilstrap said that a date has not yet been determined.

Reach staff writer Zachary Horner at 919-718-1217 and on Twitter at @ Zachary_Horner.