A raccoon that chased two dogs in the Randolph area has been tested and confirmed to have rabies, according to the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) Piedmont Health District.
VDH Environmental Health Manager Ed Dunn confirmed that the raccoon tested on June 10 was positive for rabies on June 12.

Dunn said the raccoon was discovered after coming into a yard and chasing two dogs in the Randolph area of Charlotte County. There were no humans exposed, he said.

The raccoon was killed and the Health Department removed the head and sent it in for testing, Dunn said.
This is the second rabid raccoon in the Charlotte County area in a month’s period. A man was reported to be bitten by a raccoon in the Abilene area, at the Charlotte and Prince Edward county line, on May 16.
Both of the dogs involved in the June 8 incident have current rabies vaccinations and received booster doses, in accordance with the Virginia Rabies Control Guidelines.

Dunn said due to the exposure from the raccoon, the dogs will be confined for observation for 45 days, in accordance with the guidelines from the commonwealth.