The Macon Bibb County Health Department Environmental Health Section and Macon-Bibb County Animal Welfare offices are seeking the public’s help in locating a dog that bit someone because the animal is believed to have rabies.

According to a health department news release, two Bibb County residents were bitten by a white poodle mix, possibly crossed with Bichon Frise, over the July 4th holiday weekend.

The dog in question bit a person who was considering taking it in as a pet and also bit a neighbor’s child. They decided not to keep the animal. The dog was then given away to a woman in the Wal-Mart parking lot on Zebulon Road sometime between July 7 and July 10, 2012. The identity of the woman is unknown.

The release states the woman stated she would give the dog to a Jones County animal rescue group if she decided not to keep it. Jones County authorities are aware of the situation and have not yet located the dog.

If the dog is not located, the adult and child bitten will be asked to immediately begin the post exposure rabies prevention vaccinations. According to the health department, rabies can be prevented by post-exposure vaccination. Once a person has rabies, there is no treatment and it is usually fatal.

The Georgia Rabies Manual requires that dogs, cats and ferrets be quarantined for 10 days following a bite, regardless of whether they have current rabies vaccination or not. If the animal is alive at the end of the 10 day period, then the person bitten would not need the preventative shots. This quarantine process is to protect the health of the person exposed.

If you have any information regarding the dog, you're asked to contact Donna Cadwell at 478-749-0121 between the hours of 8:00 AM and 4:30 PM or e-mail anytime to dwcadwell@dhr.state.ga.us.