David Jones said he's never known of a rabies case in Hall County involving a bobcat.

The officer with the Hall County Animal Shelter said most incidents involve raccoons, foxes and skunks. But on Jan. 20, a bobcat bit two dogs in the Bryant Quarter Road area of Gillsville.

"The property owner went back outside with a rifle to encourage the bobcat to go on but it would not," Jones said. "Even with the presence of a person there, (the bobcat) did not try to leave or run ... so he had to shoot it and kill it."

The bobcat was shipped to the Georgia Public Health Lab, Virology Section in Decatur and confirmed positive for rabies on Wednesday. It's the first confirmed case of 2012.

The dogs involved were given rabies shots and must be quarantined for 45 days, Jones said.

Alert signs have been posted in the area. If you live in this area or you see an animal acting abnormally, contact Hall County Animal Services at 770-531-6830 or during nonworking hours call Hall County Dispatch at 770-536-8812.

Animal owners are encouraged to vaccinate their pets and livestock for rabies. Vaccines are available for $10 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday at the Hall County Animal Shelter at 1688 Barber Road in Gainesville and from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday at the Humane Society of Northeast Georgia at 845 W. Ridge Road in Gainesville.