6th positive rabies case confirmed in Polk | News

FORT MEADE, Florida (AP) - Polk County has confirmed its sixth positive rabies case this year.

A Fort Meade resident found his two dogs with a dead raccoon. The raccoon was tested for rabies, and it was confirmed positive for rabies by the state laboratory on Wednesday.

The announcement was made by the Sheriff's Office Animal Control Section.

The first case in the county was reported on Jan. 12 when a two-year old dog attacked and killed a raccoon in Lakeland. Another case involved a bat.

Authorities say bats and raccoons are considered as high risk species or "rabies vector species." Residents are urged not to approach any animal which is acting in an unusual or suspicious manner.