‘Rabid raccoons’ are roaming Charlotte. Here’s what to do — or not do — if you see one

Charlotte Observer - 5/10/2023

A raccoon found in south Charlotte has tested positive for rabies after coming into contact with several pets.

A dog owner on Waterford Drive near Carmel Road found the raccoon in her backyard after her dog attacked it, CMPD Animal Care and Control Public Information Specialist Melissa Knicely told The Charlotte Observer in an email.

When animal control officers arrived at the scene, the raccoon was deceased, according to Knicely. Since the dog came into contact with the raccoon, the raccoon needed to be tested for rabies. There were no confirmed human exposures.

Three animals in Mecklenburg County have tested positive for rabies this year. Of the 14 animals that tested positive last year, 11 were raccoons, Queen City News reported.

A 2018 study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that raccoons were the second-most frequently reported rabid wildlife species, after bats.

Rabies is virtually 100% fatal in pets when the virus spreads, according to the CDC, but there are ways to protect them. Here are some symptoms you can watch for, ways to keep them safe and who to call to remove raccoons.

Symptoms of rabies in pets

Here are some common symptoms of rabies in pets, according to the CDC:

General sickness

Problems swallowing

Excessive drool and saliva

Aggressiveness

Biting at imaginary objects

Trouble moving or paralysis

How to protect your pet

The best lines of defense against rabid raccoons are vaccinations.

North Carolina state law requires every dog and cat older than four months to be vaccinated against rabies.

To reduce the risk of raccoon encounters, pet rabbits and cats should be kept indoors at all times, according to the Humane Society of the United States.

The Humane Society also recommends only feeding dogs and cats outside during the day, and removing food immediately afterward. Dogs should also be supervised and leashed at all times.

Here are some other tips from the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission on how to avoid conflicts with raccoons:

Secure outdoor garbage cans with tight-fitting lids

Keep bird feeder areas clean and use feeders that keep seed off the ground

Don’t intentionally feed raccoons

Close off crawl spaces, under sheds, porches, decks and attics

Who to call about raccoons

Licensed trappers can assist the public when they experience problems with certain wildlife species, including raccoons, according to NCWRC. There are currently 11 licensed raccoon trappers in Mecklenburg County.

However, raccoons cannot be relocated. According to state law, they must be humanely euthanized or released on the same property where they were captured.

Some Charlotte pest control companies, such as Carolina Pest Management and A-1 Wildlife Control also offer raccoon removal services.

How dangerous is rabies in humans?

People usually get rabies from the bite of a rabid animal, so the best way to prevent infections is to stay away from wildlife, according to the CDC.

Rabies in humans can initially mimic symptoms of the flu, including weakness, fever and headache, the CDC says. Once the disease progresses, people can experience anxiety, confusion, delirium, hallucinations and insomnia. The disease is nearly always fatal in humans without proper treatment.

If you are bitten by an animal, the best thing to do is wash the bite immediately with soap and water. You should also talk to your health care provider about whether you need post-exposure prophylaxis, a treatment used to prevent the spread of rabies in the body.