By By Lisa Tindell – news editor
Preventing the spread of rabies is the goal of John Bagwell who serves at the Escambia County rabies inspector.
Bagwell will be touring the rural areas surrounding Brewton providing rabies vaccinations for cats and dogs that are at least three months old.
Bagwell said the vaccines would help prevent the spread of rabies from wildlife to pets decreasing the possibility of infecting animals and humans.
Bagwell said the annual vaccine can help put a barrier between the disease and people.
Bagwell said foxes may be of particular danger during this time of year.
Escambia County Medical Examiner Dan Raulerson, who is working in conjunction with the rabies clinic and Bagwell, said a case of a rabid fox in the Flomaton area was confirmed during the last season.
Raulerson agreed with Bagwell stating the wildlife population could be putting a huge risk on domesticated pets in our area.
Raulerson said a dog that has received the rabies vaccination would not be at risk to get the disease.
The fact that a pet could become a carrier, poses a tremendous risk that a human could become infected as a result, Raulerson said.
Bagwell said the annual rabies clinic will be held June 7 across the county. Several stops will be made around the Brewton area as well as a few stops in the Atmore area.
The clinics begin at 8 a.m. in Flomaton and will be held at 5 to 10 minute intervals at various locations including Brewton, Appleton, Damasacus, Springhill, Wallace, Pineview and Barnett's Crossroads. For specific locations and times, please the chart below.