Reporter: Rachel Schaerr l Videographer: Dan Heffner
Bedford Co., VA – the Central Virginia Health Department is warning Bedford County residents to be extra vigilant after a rabid coyote attacked a family's dog. About 25 letters went out to neighbors after the February 14th attack on Glass Hill Road.
The dog was bitten on its leg but fortunately it was up to date on its rabies vaccine and expected to be fine. this is the first confirmed case of rabies in the county so far this year.
The dog's owner Dee Arrington woke-up at 1:30 a.m. to find three-year-old Dixie yelping and a coyote circling the dog house.
“It just looked real creepy it was like lurking around the dog house real slow,” Arrington said.
Dixie had bite marks on her hind legs. Arrington says if she wasn't tied up, the coyote probably would have dragged her off and killed her.
Arrington's husband grabbed his gun and killed the coyote. the image of that night is still fresh in Dee Harrington's mind.
“When I start the car in the morning I just look around,” Arrington said.
After taking pictures of the dead animal, the Arringtons called animal control and had it tested for rabies. they came back positive, no surprise to their stepdaughters who saw it acting strangely the day before.
“They had stopped and seen it just kind of walking around and it had circled the truck. they took pictures of it on their cell phone,” Arrington said.
Steve Simpson, the Environmental Manager for the Central Virginia Health District says rabies symptoms range from paralysis, blindness, aggressiveness or an animal that just lies around. last year 11 animals in Bedford County tested positive for rabies. More rabies attacks are reported in the springtime because it's mating season.
If you suspect an animal is rabid, call your local animal control first and then report it to the department of health.