Press Release By: Gaston County Police Department
Cherryville, NC - On Thursday, 10/30/25, at approximately 7:30 pm, Gaston County Police Animal Care and Enforcement received a call in reference to a dog that had possibly been exposed to a skunk, showing neurological issues in the 1000 block of Mary’s Grove Road, Cherryville, NC. The dog had an expired rabies vaccination, but received a booster shot from the family veterinarian. There was no human contact with the skunk.
Animal Care and Enforcement Specialists investigated the incident and impounded the skunk on Thursday, 10/30/25. The skunk was sent to the NC Laboratory of Public Health in Raleigh on Friday, 10/31/25. The official laboratory results were received on Monday, 11/03/25, at approximately 11:15 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 11/03/25 to notify the community of the positive rabies results and verify rabies vaccinations for family pets in the area.
The Gaston County Police Department Animal Care and Enforcement Division stresses the importance of having a valid rabies vaccination for all pets’ health and safety, as well as the health and safety of their owners and the community.
Gaston County Animal Care and Enforcement also notified the Gaston County Department of Health and Human Services about the incident.
This represents the 16th confirmed rabies case in Gaston County this year.
