Cherokee warns of rabid animals fleeing fires

As if North Georgia residents don’t have enough worries with the heightened risk of wildfires due to the continuing drought, the Cherokee County Emergency Management Agency warns people to be alert to potentially rabid wild animals fleeing the fires.

The recent woods and brush fires could cause wild animals or strays to move into residential areas, officials said. Very few are likely to carry rabies, but it’s still a good idea to avoid the critters – especially if they’re acting friendly, disoriented, sick, aggressive or displaying other abnormal behavior.

Children should be warned not to pet or have contact with wild animals, officials said. Also, household pets should be current on their rabies vaccinations.