EVANS, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Health officials are urging caution around wild animals after a raccoon bit someone last week at Blanchard Woods Park in Evans. The Columbia County Health Department says the bite happened Aug. 14. Columbia County Animal Services later captured the raccoon, which has been sent for rabies testing. Results are expected in the next few days. Dangerously high temperatures are settling in across the CSRA, so Georgia and South Carolina health officials are urging people to take heat safety seriously. While there is no sign of a wider health threat, the health department is reminding residents and visitors to be alert, especially in wooded areas, and to avoid approaching wild animals. Officials also are stressing the importance of keeping pets vaccinated against rabies, not letting them roam freely and avoiding feeding animals outside, which can attract stray and wild creatures. Parents are encouraged to talk with children about staying away from wild animals and animals they do not know. Any contact between people or domestic animals and wild animals should be reported to the Columbia County Health Department Environmental Health Section or Columbia County Animal Services. Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
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