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Rabid cat bites Hall resident
Incident is second in 3 weeks involving cat, person
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Another Hall County resident has been bit by a rabid cat, making it the second such occurrence in about three weeks.

A man on County Line Road near Gillsville was bit by a feral cat over the weekend, said Mike Ledford, Hall County's Animal Services director.

Ledford said the man had been feeding the cat.

"It got too close and he got bit," he said.

On Tuesday, Animal Services got confirmation from the Georgia Public Health Lab that the cat was positive for rabies.

It is the 16th confirmed rabies case in Hall County this year; the second involving a cat.

On Thanksgiving Day, an East Hall resident was bit by a rabid feral cat under similar circumstances.

Rabies cases are not uncommon in Hall County. Confirmed cases with cats are somewhat rare, but not unheard of, Ledford said.

Feral cats are out in the same environment with raccoons and skunks; they get in fights, he said, and sometimes rabies is spread.

"Hopefully, this is the extent of it," Ledford said.

Alert signs have been posted in the area where the rabid cat was found.

Hall County Animal Services is taking the opportunity to remind pet owners to vaccinate their animals.

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.

Residents who see an animal acting abnormally are encouraged to contact Hall County Animal Services at 770-531-6830 or during nonworking hours call Hall County Dispatch at 770-536-8812.