By Leah Justice

leah.justice@tryondailybulletin.com

GREEN CREEK- The Polk County Sheriff’s Office received confirmation this week that a skunk, which attacked a woman in Green Creek recently had rabies.

A skunk attacked a woman on Aug. 26 in the Collinsville Road area of Green Creek, according to the sheriff’s office.

The skunk was sent to a state lab to be tested for rabies by the Polk County Animal Control Office.

Animal control officer Sgt. Michael Herman received information on Tuesday that the skunk tested positive for rabies.

Polk County Animal Control will be holding a rabies clinic in response to the attack on Saturday, Sept. 10 from 1-2:30 p.m. at the Green Creek Fire Department. Residents in the area are encouraged to bring pets to the clinic to ensure they have rabies vaccinations.

The sheriff’s office urges anyone who sees any animal acting unusually to contact the Polk County Animal Control Office by calling 828-894-3001. Anyone who may see an animal acting in an unusual manner is urged not to approach the animal.

Animals that have been exposed to rabies can become aggressive, according to the animal control office.

Attacks from rabid animals on people and pets do happen in Polk County, although this is the first in some time.

Look for more details on this case in Thursday’s edition of the Bulletin.