A family dog in Thunderbolt that was not up to date on its rabies vaccination is now in quarantine at the Savannah-Chatham police department’s Animal Control facility after being exposed to a raccoon that tested positive for rabies.
In an unrelated incident, a landscaper working on Skidaway Island is being advised to follow up with his physician after picking up a raccoon that also tested positive for rabies. Chatham County Environmental Health officials remind residents to avoid contact with wild or stray animals and get pets vaccinated against rabies.
“Several species of wild animals that live in our area, including raccoons, can carry rabies which is why it is so important to do what we can to protect our pets and ourselves from being exposed to the disease,” said Chatham County Environmental Health Manager Todd Jones.
Symptoms of rabies in animals include a change in behavior, biting, aggression, showing no fear of natural enemies (such as humans), foaming at the mouth, and paralysis.
The Chatham County Health Department Environmental Health Division offers these tips to protect you and your family from rabies:
• Avoid contact with animals you don’t know.
• Make sure your pets receive the proper immunizations. Dogs and cats should get rabies vaccines by four months of age, followed by a booster shot one year later, and another one every one or three years depending on the type of vaccine used.
• Do not handle, feed, or unintentionally attract wild animals with open garbage cans or by leaving pet food out at night.
• Never adopt wild animals or bring them into your home. Do not try to nurse sick animals to help. Call animal control or a properly licensed animal rescue agency for assistance.
• Teach children to never handle unfamiliar animals, wild or domestic, even if they appear friendly. “Love your own, leave other animals alone” is a good principle for children to learn. Adults should follow the same rule.
• If an animal ever bites you, seek medical care immediately and contact Animal Control at 912-525-2408 and the Chatham County Health Department Environmental Health Division at 912-356-2160.
Statesboro man indicted in October slaying
A Statesboro man on Wednesday was indicted on murder and related charges in the October slaying of a man found dead behind the New Covenant Holiness Church.
Jemari Dyqwann Carter shot Audie Murphy to death on Oct. 19, the Chatham County grand jury said.
The indictment also charged Carter, 20, with felony murder by killing Murphy during an aggravated assault.
Murphy, 25, was shot and killed with a rifle, the indictment said.
Police found the victim with multiple gunshot wounds about 8 a.m. Oct. 19 on the ground behind the church in the lane off the 900 block of East Duffy Street.
Armstrong offering free rape aggression defense class for women Sunday
Campus police at Armstrong Atlantic State University are offering a free rape defense class for women Sunday.
The class, Rape Aggression Defense Training, will be held from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the Student Recreation Center on campus at 11935 Abercorn Street.
The class is free to women 18 years and older.
To register, contact Theresa Davis of the Armstrong police department at 912-344-3085 or Theresa.Davis@armstrong.edu.
Compiled by Mary Landers, Jan Skutch and Dash Coleman
CHATHAM COUNTY BOOKED
To see pictures and details for individuals serving their initial incarceration in Chatham County, as reported by the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office, go to booked.savannahnow.com.