Woman bitten by rabid cat in Liberty

Staff report

LIBERTY

A woman was bitten by a rabid cat in Liberty on Friday and is undergoing shots to prevent the rabies from infecting her.

Debbie Mokosh, director of nursing for the Trumbull County Health Department, said it is the first time since 1996 that a rabid cat, dog or other domestic animal has been identified in the county. The animal from 1996 also was a cat.

The Liberty woman spotted the cat, believed to be wild, and noticed that it appeared to be ill. She tried to shoo it away, but it went into her garage and bit her in a couple areas. Mokosh declined to provide a specific location in Liberty.

The Ohio Department of Health reported Tuesday that the cat had rabies, most likely from a raccoon, Mokosh said.

The county had a rabid coyote in Kinsman and rabid raccoons and bats in recent years, but not cats, Mokosh said.

Advice for county residents is to avoid contact with animals you don’t know, bring pet food inside at night, don’t leave trash outside where animals can get to it and vaccinate dogs, cats and ferrets for rabies.

Mokosh noted that the Ohio Department of Health provided rabies baits for the Liberty area for many years until 2009. She personally participated in hand-baiting in Liberty that involved placing baits near garbage receptacles or in ditches.

Mokosh said she’s not seeing a large increase in rabies in the county, but Mahoning County has reported three rabies cases this year, which is a lot.

The Trumbull County Veterinary Medical Association is planning rabies vaccination clinics for dogs, cats and ferrets from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday at 11 locations.

Cost is $15 per pet, cash only, and animals should be brought on a leash and collar, including cats brought in a carrier. Aggressive, unruly or dangerous animals should not be brought for a vaccination.

The locations are Bristol Township garage, Brookfield Township garage, Champion Township garage, Cortland City garage, Howland Park Rotary Pavilion, Hubbard Township Administration Building, Kinsman Fire Department, Churchill Park in Liberty, Newton Township garage, Waddell Park Pavilion in Niles and Packard Park Octagon Shelter in Warren.