Rabid cat found in Cumberland County; family exposed to virus

Cumberland County officials are urging residents to make sure their pets are vaccinated after a stray cat that was taken in by a family in Wade tested positive for rabies.

Posted 8:02 p.m. Dec 17, 2014 — Updated 8:47 p.m. Dec 17, 2014

WADE, N.C. — Cumberland County officials are urging residents to make sure their pets are vaccinated after a stray cat that was taken in by a family in Wade tested positive for rabies.

The sick cat showed up Saturday at a home on Hayfield Drive, off Wade-Stedman Road, where the family’s two dogs tried to attack it. One of the residents tried to intervene and was bitten by one of the dogs, officials said Wednesday.

The residents of the home cared for the cat until Monday, when they took the cat to a veterinarian who determined the animal showed signs of rabies.

Animal Control picked up the cat for testing. The two dogs and other pets in the household had current rabies vaccinations.

The family was advised to seek medical treatment, officials said.

The cat is the 12th case of rabies in the county this year.

Animal control officials caution residents to avoid wild animals or strays that exhibit strange or aggressive behavior. Any pet that appears to have been in a fight should be handled with caution and taken to a veterinarian.

Anyone who thinks they have encountered a rabid animal should call a local Animal Control office during business hours or the sheriff’s office on weekends and holidays.

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