MEDIA RELEASE

For Immediate Release                                        September 15, 2016

             Vaccination baits to be disturbed throughout the County

Sheriff Jimmy Harris states as follows:

            Starting October 1-20, 2016 the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Wildlife Services program to start distributing an oral rabies vaccination bait to vaccinate raccoons, foxes, coyotes and help stop further spread of rabies. The oral rabies vaccination baits are about the size of a matchbox and are coated with fishmeal flavoring. These baits are marked with a toll-free number if anyone needs assistance or information if one is found and you have any questions. These baits will be distributed by airplane, helicopter, and/or car.

If you find one of these baits, leave them alone, unless they are in a place where children play. There are steps to take to move the baits safely:

•      Wear gloves or use a paper towel or plastic bag when picking up the baits
•      Toss intact baits into a wooded area or other raccoon habitat
•      Bag and dispose of any damaged baits in the trash
•      Take precautions after the removal of the bait –
•      Wash any skin or wounds that may have come in contact with the bait with soap and water
•       Instruct children to leave them alone

           If you or your pet finds one of these baits:

•      Do not attempt to remove the bait from your dog’s mouth, it will not harm your pet
•      Confine your pet and remove any other baits from the area

Please contact USDA Wildlife Services at 334-844-5670 if you have questions regarding the vaccination program.

            Sheriff Harris says “This is a program that the Department of Agriculture does every so often. We have not had any reports of any wild animals with rabies in our County.”