Press Release By: Gaston County Police Department
On Tuesday 10/14/25, at approximately 10:30am, Gaston County Police Animal Care and Enforcement received a call in reference to several cats that had possibly been exposed to a skunk showing neurological issues in the 800 block of Mary’s Grove Road Cherryville, NC. None of the cats were vaccinated and one died as a result of the attack. The remaining cats were quarantined until the test results were received. There was no human contact with the skunk.
Animal Care and Enforcement Specialists investigated the incident and impounded the skunk on Tuesday 10/14/25. The skunk was sent to the NC Laboratory of Public Health in Raleigh on 10/15/25. The official laboratory results were received on Friday 10/17/25 at approximately 11:00 am, indicating that the skunk tested positive for rabies.
Enforcement Specialist completed a neighborhood canvass in the area of Mary’s Grove Road Cherryville, NC on 10/17/25 to notify the community of the positive rabies results, and verify rabies vaccinations for family pets in the area. The remaining cats will be kept under a strict quarantine at a local veterinarian office for 4 months for observation, in compliance with state regulations and at the expense of the owner.
The Gaston County Police Department Animal Care and Enforcement Division stresses the importance of having a valid rabies vaccination for all pet’s health and safety, as well as the health and safety of their owners and community.
Gaston County Animal Care and Enforcement also notified Gaston County Department Health and Human Services about the incident.
This represents the 15th confirmed rabies case in Gaston County this year.
