Authorities have confirmed Polk County's third case of rabies this year.
Last Thursday, a resident in the 8000 block of Holly Ridge Drive in Lakeland saw her dog fighting with a raccoon in her yard. The raccoon was was shot and killed and sent to the state laboratory for testing.
It tested positive for rabies, the Polk County Sheriff's Office said.
The dog was current with its rabies vaccination ans has been placed on a 45-day quarantine.
Authorities are reminding residents that raccoons and bats are high-risk species for rabies and shouldn't be approached. Anyone whose pet has been exposed to a suspicious animal can contact Animal Control at 863-499-2600.