Fairfax County, Virginia - A Raccoon that Was Discovered Inside a Fairfax County Home Has Tested Positive for Rabies

A raccoon that was discovered inside a Fairfax County, Virginia, home has tested positive for rabies, according to the Fairfax County Police Department.

A release from the public affairs bureau said the victim, a man from Clifton, Virginia, was notified and is receiving medical treatment. The raccoon was one of three reports of wild animals coming in contact with humans in the county this week.

The Clifton man found the raccoon in his home around 11 a.m. on March 3. Police said he fought off the animal and was bitten during the struggle. The man was able to kill the raccoon and transport it to the Fairfax County Animal Shelter.

Earlier in the week, a woman was running on a trail in Great Falls, Virginia, on Wednesday, March 2, around 8 a.m. A fox attacked and bit the woman. She underwent preventative treatment for potential exposure to rabies at the Reston Hospital Center.

On that same day, another woman was checking on her chickens around 9 a.m. in the 9100 block of Potomac Woods Lanes, near Riverbend Park. She confronted and was bitten by a fox. She also sought treatment at the Reston Hospital Center.

The fox has not been captured.

Animal Control would like to remind residents that it is unknown, at present, whether or not the fox is rabid. However, aggressive tendencies, such as those exhibited in these cases, are one of the signs of rabies.

Rabies is a disease caused by a virus that can infect both people and animals. People usually get rabies when they are bitten by an animal that is sick with the disease.

If bitten or scratched by an animal, wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water and seek medical attention right away. In Fairfax County, residents should also immediately report animal bites, as well as sick or injured animals, to Animal Control Services at 703-691-2131, TTY 703-877-3715.

More information on the rabies virus, exposure prevention tips, and what to do if an animal bites, is available: http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/hd/rabies/

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Washington Animal Rescue League: Dogs Once Suffering on S. Korean Dog Meat Farm Arrived in the DC Area - Media is Invited to Cover the Transfer of Dogs on Monday, Dec. 14

Washington, DC - Humane Society International rescue dogs and shut down fourth farm; partners with Washington Animal Rescue League and Washington, DC metro shelters to find dogs loving homes.

(Dec. 9, 2015) ― Twenty six dogs rescued from a dog meat farm in South Korea by Humane Society International begin arriving at the Washington Animal Rescue League on Dec. 11, on their way to new lives. Once the animals are evaluated by WARL staff, the dogs will be divided among them and four other Emergency Placement Partner shelters including the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria, Animal Welfare League of Arlington, Fairfax County Animal Shelter and Washington Humane Society to find the dogs homes. Emergency Placement Partners is a program of The Humane Society of the United States, HSI’s U.S. affiliate.

WHAT:       Media is invited to cover the transfer of dogs on Monday, Dec. 14 at WARL.

WHERE:    Washington Animal Rescue League, 71 Oglethorpe Street, NW, Washington,     D.C., 20011

WHEN:       Monday, Dec. 14 at 11:00 a.m. EST

WHO:        

Robert Ramin, president and ceo of WARL

Kelly O’Meara, director of companion animals and engagement for HSI

Representatives from the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria, Animal Welfare League of Arlington, Fairfax County Animal Shelter and Washington Humane Society

Background:  HSI worked with the farm owner to remove the dogs from miserable conditions and close its doors for good. As part of the plan, he signed an agreement with HSI to shut down the property. HSI will follow the farmer’s progress to ensure compliance. HSI will demolish the cages once all the dogs are safely removed.

HSI is working to reduce the dog meat trade in Asia, including in South Korea where dogs are farmed for the trade – and where the 2018 Winter Olympics will be held. HSI will work with other dog farmers who agree to get out of the inhumane dog meat trade permanently and transition into trades like crop growing.

**Photos and video of the Korean dog meat farm, and their arrival at Dulles are available by request.

Media Note: Credentialed media interested in attending should RSVP to a contact below.

Media Contacts:

HSI: Raul Arce-Contreras, 240-620-3263, rcontreras@humanesociety.org

WARL: Matt Williams, 202-280-9412, matt.williams@warl.org

About Humane Society International

Humane Society International and its partner organizations together constitute one of the world’s largest animal protection organizations. For more than 20 years, HSI has been working for the protection of all animals through the use of science, advocacy, education and hands on programs. Celebrating animals and confronting cruelty worldwide – on the Web at hsi.org.

About the Washington Animal Rescue League

For 100 years, the Washington Animal Rescue League has rescued the dogs, cats, puppies and kittens that had nowhere else to go.  As the oldest animal shelter in the Nation’s Capital, the Washington Animal Rescue League has rescued, cared for and adopted more than 100,000 animals in its history.  The only area shelter with a full service medical center, the Washington Animal Rescue League’s mission continues to evolve as conditions change and animals face new and different challenges, but the core of that mission remains unchanged:  to honor and strengthen the human-animal bond by providing the best quality care for homeless dogs and cats, and supporting companion animals in their homes through affordable veterinary care, community outreach, and education. For additional information, visit www.warl.org.

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