Comments on: Rabid Cat Attacks: Six People Bitten, Scratched Or Exposed To Rabies

By: Handy Road Resident

Handy Road Resident — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 05:07:29 +0000

I live in the house in front of where the dog was bitten by a rabid coon in August. I knew absolutely nothing about it until I read it on this site. I was furious that no one notified us, not the animal control (who said it was the health dept’s responsibility), not the health dept and not the neighbors, who coincidentally were allowed to keep the dog at home in “quarantine” for 10 days, but during that time, he was in my yard. We pet this dog all the time. What if he HAD gotten rabies from this and bitten one of us? How irresponsible is that?!?

We need to be notified when something like this happens near our homes. Why don’t they use the reverse 911 system to notify each household? We know that tv and newsprint don’t reach everyone. This is ridiculous to not even tell the people who live less than 100 yards from where it happens and are in frequent contact with the animals involved.

By: Matt

Matt — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 20:39:47 +0000

Seems as though there could be something worth more in arguing about then an animal with rabies. As far a HIPAA I do not believe that people have a clear understanding of what HIPAA is. Cats are known for carrying several diseases anyway so why is it that since one cat looses it everyone has to point fingers at everyone, or everything. People watch to much of the VIEW.

By: YELLAR HAMMER

YELLAR HAMMER — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 19:43:45 +0000

Thanks Bubles and Bogian for this info, I hope every is ok and doing better.

By: David Huie Green

David Huie Green — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 17:13:58 +0000

REGARDING:
“Part of rabies is that it makes the animals no longer scared of humans.”

Auburn University once scooped up dead raccoons along the interstate highway and tested them for rabies.

Over 90% had rabies.

Are most coons rabid?

No, just the ones who aren’t scared of cars and trucks.

They ain’t scared of nothin

By: Bogian 3

Bogian 3 — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 16:10:58 +0000

It should be mentioned that, while the cat may not have charged at Bubbles, it did charge at the woman mentioned in the article (my mom). Also, rabid animals are not necessarily attracted only because there is food outside. We had no food anywhere outside when the cat, totally unprovoked, ran across the yard and bit her (she didn’t even know the cat was there). Before that, my boyfriend was scratched because as soon as he got out of his truck, the cat was on his leg (again, he didn’t know the cat was in the yard either).

It just seems necessary to let everyone know that rabid animals don’t always have a reason for attacking…I suppose that’s the nature of rabies. So be very careful! Just because there’s no food outside or you’re not bothering it, the animal may still try to bite you! Part of rabies is that it makes the animals no longer scared of humans.

I guess that’s what we get for living in the country…

By: Bubbles

Bubbles — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 14:44:32 +0000

The cat in question in this story was infact caught and died with in 2 days of being captured and then was tested and found out it was infact rabies. This cat looked like a normal starved house cat and acted affectionate when I came in contact with it. Only when I tried touching it did it lash out. It did not charge me nor just run up and attack me. Being the first person in contact with it , I believe it was still going crazy had not reached the full blown craziness that comes with the virus. After it did attack me and lounged at my face I did get up and walk away and the cat proceeded to follow me towards the house. If I knew this cat had rabies of any kind I would not have even gone near it let alone tried to pet it. But I have learned my lesson in this situation and am going to stay away from any animals I do not know. These shots suck and are not fun at all. I have had a total of 8 so far and by the time its over i will have had a total of 12. 12 too many! I however want to thank the animal control for capturing and notifying all those involved. I could have ended up worst had I not been informed and began my treatments. I also want to thank the Health dept they have been with me thru this whole thing and on top of everything. Again I continue to pray from those also attacked I know a few people were worst off than my situation.

By: YELLAR HAMMER

YELLAR HAMMER — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 13:02:08 +0000

I have been told (correct me if I am wrong) that after wildlife has contracted rabies they don’t live beyond two weeks. This being said is this cat rabid or is it a wild feral cat trying to survive.

By: Name (required)

Name (required) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 05:00:01 +0000

Man that is ONE scary looking cat picture at the top. I would not wanna mess with that!

By: ReneeJones

ReneeJones — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 00:11:18 +0000

A rabies “exposure” is any contact with an animal that COULD POSSIBLY have rabies. If the cat is not in custody, it hasn’t been tested. Brain material is required for testing. In the absence of a test returned as negative, it is always best to assume that the animal had rabies and act accordingly. In other words, if they don’t have the cat, they don’t have a test, therefore, anyone exposed faces the decision to either undergo post exposure vaccinations (which must be done immediately, are expensive and not covered by most health insurance companies, and are painful) or to not undergo the vaccinations and take a chance that the cat did not have rabies. Rabies is 100% fatal and by the time symptoms occur, it’s too late to undergo vaccinations. The fact that we have rabies in the North Escambia, FL and Escambia, AL is not a new idea. Several animals are captured and tested every year and test positive. We ALWAYS have rabies in the area. The barrier is vaccination of your personal pets and do not handle wildlife……..unfortunately, feral cats fall into the wildlife category for this situation.

By: David Huie Green

David Huie Green — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 22:20:20 +0000

REGARDING:
“The McDavid area to most people includes Barth, Bogia, McDavid, and Walnut Hill and the same goes for Molino which would include the Perdido River area, Barrineau Park, etc. So quit being so childish in acting like you dont know what areas are included.”

Whereas in my mind it would be bounded by Escambia River, Pine Barren Creek, Canoe Creek, Pine Barren Road, Cox Road. Note we have different ideas even if mine are wrong. That is why some wanted more specificity. Not me, I figure if the Lord wants me, he knows where I live.

“And for you that are putting down the ECHD they are correct for not telling the location because of the HIPAA Act that has been put into action. The HIPAA Act is for the protection of the patient’s personal information and their medical information. So if you want to argue the fact then take it up with the gov’t and quit lashing out at the ECHD.”

Here again, the complaint wasn’t about which part of the GOVERNMENT was to blame or to be credited. The point was that the law required the withholding of potentially lifesaving information. I doubt rabid animals travel many miles before dying. Thus, knowing if you were within a mile or two of the attack would warn most in immediate danger.

If you were attacked by a dangerous animal, those around you might be more cautious around the animals IF they knew. Others might be tempted to kill healthy animals if they didn’t know where the danger lay.

Rightly or wrongly it looks like the HIPAA Act places embarassment or privacy above human life.

I had the impression that was the complaint and people ARE allowed to complain, just as you did.

David for a perfect world