The Polk County Sheriff’s Office Animal Control responded to North Galloway Road in Lakeland, in reference to a fight between a dog and a raccoon on Sunday. The owner of the Alaskan husky mix separated the two animals and dispatched the raccoon; Animal Control responded, retrieved the raccoon carcass, and sent it to the state laboratory in Tampa to be tested for rabies. The positive rabies was confirmed two days later.

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The dog is vaccinated and will remain at home under a 45-day quarantine.

If you see a wild animal in distress, or if one of your pets interacts with a wild animal, contact Polk County Animal Control immediately.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff

In 2019, there were 11 rabies cases in Polk County – five bats and six raccoons.

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