Pender-Topsail Post & Voice, Thursday, July 2, 2015, Page 3A
Rabies outbreak sparks concern Exposed pets were vaccinated, but humans had to undergo treatments By Jefferson Weaver Contributing Writer A rabies outbreak has officials urging petowners to get their animals vaccinated. In just the past four weeks, six rabid animals—three raccoons and three foxes—were killed in the county. Three of the animals were in Hampstead, two in Burgaw and one in Willard. All the exposed pets were vaccinated, according to Jewell Horton of Animal Control. Several people—including one three-year-old girl—had to undergo rabies treatments. A mother and daughter, along with a family pet, were exposed in another case. “People have been listening this year,” she said, noting that a steady stream of petowners has been coming through the doors of the shelter for days, seeking the $5 rabies vaccinations. More than 30 visited the shelter Saturday and Sunday, she said. Rabies is spread through saliva from an infected animal, and affects the central nervous system. The virus isn’t spread through blood, but a scratch, bite or even a lick form an infected animal can cause exposure. There is no cure for the disease. Animals that are exposed and have up-to-date shots must receive a booster and be observed for several days. Unvaccinated pets must be euthanized or quarantined in a veterinarian approved
July 4
Continued from page 1A yoga and core intensive demonstrations as well. There will be entertainment for all ages. The event will close with a fireworks display starting at 8:30 p.m. The Willard Outreach Community Center has been a historical fixture in the Willard community since the 1950’s. Today, the site is home to a growing community center. The nonprofit organization was established to develop and implement programs to improve the educational, socioeconomic, health and environmental conditions of residents in northern Pender County and surrounding areas. The building currently houses several exercise classes, English as a Second Language, and quilting classes. Willard Outreach Center is located at 9955 N.C. Highway 11 in Willard. For more information, please contact Ruth Murray at (910) 285-8061, Clifton West at (910) 494-7233 or Sam Woodard at (910) 2842811. July 4 in Currie The 7th Annual Fourth of July Parade will take place in Currie on Saturday at 10 a.m. It will be held at Mr. D.C. North’s Goose Haven. The Dynasty Club, a women’s group in Currie consisting of 15 members, has collaborated with the community to plan the annual event. The parade will begin at 10 a.m., and an assortment of activities are on
setting for six months, a process that can cost thousands of dollars. Horton said the county will have an additional free rabies clinic in July. “Animal Control and the sportsman’s Association are sponsoring the spring and fall clinics as usual,” she explained, “but due to the rash of cases, we’re working with the health department to hold another one in July. There is a need for vaccinations, and people are taking advantage of the clinics.” Lt. Keith Ramsey of the Sheriff ’s Department said the law is clear, and offers no negotiation. “General statutes say that all animals over four months of age must have a current rabies vaccination,” he said. “That’s it. If your animal has been exposed, but doesn’t have a current vaccination, it has to be quarantined or put down. We don’t write the law, and we don’t like having to tell someone their pet has to die, but that’s necessary to prevent a rabid animal from spreading the disease to mother animals and people.” Failure to vaccinate an animal is a misdemeanor. North Carolina’s aggressive anti-rabies pro g ram began in the 1950s, when a statewide epidemic exposed a number of humans to disease, and led to the deaths of untold numbers of pets and livestock. Dogs, cats, ferrets, horses,
cows and virtually all domestic mammals must be vaccinated against rabies. Horton said the requirement to vaccinate horses takes some owners by surprise. “There were several at the state fair last year who had to take their horses home,” she said. “Shows are good about requiring (health) certificates, but too few people think about getting their horses vaccinated for rabies. Wild animals walk across pastures all the time, and horses are outside where they can easily be exposed. Same thing goes for cows, pigs—any mammal can catch the virus, very easily, from an infected animal.” Ramsey said that the last thing Animal control officers want to do is take someone’s pet. “In some of these cases, the dog is protecting its master from a wild animal,” he explained. “It’s hard to explain to folks that it doesn’t matter what the dog was doing when it got exposed—without a vaccination, it has to be put down.” Horton said it’s reassuring to see people responding to the offers of free or reduced price vaccinations. “We still have to get the word out there,’ she said. “Check your rabies certificates--if you can’t find it, you likely need to have it updated.” Fo r m o re i n fo r m at i o n about vaccinations, call the Animal shelter at 259.1484.
the agenda for the remainder of the day as well. Clara Hansley is a member of the Dynasty Club and has been involved in the planning of the parade. She said that there will be food vendors, games and a variety of activities to entertain visitors of all ages. She explained how the parade got started seven years ago. “A lady named Ebony McIntyre was the founder of the parade,” said Hansley. “She had a vision of the Fourth of July Parade, and she told a group of us about it. From that day on, we all got together and carried it out. It brings a lot of people together to show love for one another and encourages them to do things together. It brings all of the community together. Our friends and loved ones come from all over. “We have people coming from Florida, Greensboro, Virginia, New York and different places to participate. We just want everyone to come out, be friends and have a good time. There will be singing and dancing and it will be a lot of fun.” Gospel singer Ricky Waddell, from Atlanta, Georgia, will be a guest performer. A Michael Jackson impersonator from Raleigh will appear on stage, and there will be country music singers to benefit the Wounded Soldiers. The DJ known as Platinum will be at the event as well. Rumor has it that the Burgaw Cloggers will be in attendance, and Hansley said that no one who shows up will be turned down.
If someone wants to perform, they will be allowed to take the stage. The King of the Parade this year will be Judge Gary Trawick of Burgaw, and the Queen will be attorney Tonya Lacewell Turner. Judge James Faison III will be attending and speaking, and some of the Pender County Commissioners are expected to be present at the event to say a few words. Hansley told more about the women’s club that plans the parade each year. “The name of the club is the Dynasty Club, and we are a group of about 15 women. We help needy people. We give money and scholarships to people who need it. We adopt families at Christmas and buy things for them, and we have fundraisers and sell raffle tickets. We stay busy,” said Hansley. Stages for the event will include two flatbed trailers, and a tent that will seat more than 400 people will be set up on site. 50/50 raffle tickets will be sold for $2 each, or three for $5. There will be face painting and bounce houses for the kids, as well as other games and activities. Prizes will be awarded for various activities. Vendors will be selling hot dogs, chicken, French fries, turkey legs, fried shrimp, lemonade and other refreshments. Following the parade, there will be cook-off at Simpson and Hansley Road. Particpants will be cooking up a variety of delicious treats.
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Photo contributed
Jerry Kinlaw (right), Senior Vice President of First Bank in Wilmington, was guest speaker at the Burgaw Rotary Club meeting last week. Kinlaw discussed what happens when banks go bankrupt. Pictured with Kinlaw is Rotary member Stephen Owens.
Pender Democrats elect new board Precinct delegates Pender County Democrats elected a new Executive Board on Tuesday, June 23 at the Hampstead Governmental Access Auditorium while honoring outgoing Chairman James H. Faison, Jr. Featured speaker State Democratic Secretary Melvin Williams urged the large and enthusiastic crowd of more than 50 Democrats in attendance to “stand up for what is right,” on key issues, especially voter registration. There will be a display of both old and new cars for visitors to enjoy. Local resident Ivy Simpson is also involved in the planning of the event each year. “I like the Fourth of July parade because I enjoy meeting people, and it gets the community together. It gets everyone involved, and that’s what it’s all about – getting everyone together, and having fellowship with one another. That’s how a community grows,” said Simpson.
“I want to encourage Pender Democrats to conduct a phone drive to make sure that every registered Democrat has the correct ID that they will need to vote in 2016,” Williams added. The convention welcome came from came from New Hanover County first Vice Chair Richard Poole who recently finished a term as New Hanover County chair. He spoke for the need for increased party organization and attracting new area voters into the fold. Then Pender County Commissioner Demetrice Keith
gave a short state of the county address. She plans to run for a complete term in the 5th District next year. The assembly then nominated and elected the following new Executive Board: Chair, Steve Unger, first vice-chair Sandra Kirby, (retur ning) Keith Spencer – second vice chair, third vice chair Colin Smith (returning), treasurer, Chris Medlin, and Debbi Fintak, secretary. Outgoing second vice-chair Ken Palega and outgoing treasurer Bill Marshburn were
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Nurturing the whole child through experiential learning
Rainbow Garden Preschool x Enrolling for 2015-2016 school year x Monday-Thursday from 9-1 x Open House August 1 and August 15 from 4pm-6pm 1497 B Country Club Rd. Hampstead www.capefearchild.org 910-515-1100
Free Rabies Clinic When: Saturday, July 11th, 2015 from 11:00am — 2:00pm Where: B & K General Store 315 US Hwy 117s Burgaw Pender Co Residents ONLY with dogs, cats or ferrets over 4 months old. Cost is free for the first 300 vaccines And then $5.00 each!