Polk County Sheriff’s Phone# 863-298-6200
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News and Investigations
News & Investigations
News Releases and Public Information
Welcome to the Polk County Sheriff's Office News Room, where the Public Information Officers (PIO's) post all of the information that they release to the news media. PIO's act as liaisons between news media organizations and the Sheriff's Office. The PIO's routinely release timely and accurate information and Crime Stoppers bulletins, and respond to routine and "breaking news" media inquiries. News releases and Crime Stoppers information can be found on this page.
PCSO's full-time Public Information Officers are Brian Bruchey, Carrie Horstman, and Meghan Petty. The Public Information Officers can be reached by sending an e-mail collectively at PIOs@polksheriff.org.
The recent news releases sent out by the PIOs can be found here, and archived releases (older than 2017) can be found here.
Jun 9, 2016
Second Positive Rabies Case Confirmed
Media Contact: Carrie Horstman, PIO
The Polk County Sheriff's Office Animal Control Section confirmed today, Thursday, June 9, 2016, the second positive Rabies case in Polk County for 2016.
On Tuesday, June 7, 2016, a Lakeland man reported that a fox attacked his dog in the area of 10523 Creekwood Court, Lakeland. The fox also bit the victim while he was trying to get it away from his dog. The victim was able to shoot and kill the fox.
The PCSO Animal Control Section responded, removed the body, and sent it to the state lab for rabies testing. The fox was confirmed positive for rabies by the State Laboratory on Thursday, June 9th.
The victim was notified of the test results and he has begun medical treatment; his dog will be quarantined for 45-180 days, depending on its vaccination history.
Residents are reminded that foxes are among the mammals considered to be high risk species or "rabies vector species" (RVS). Please do not approach any animal which is acting in an unusual or suspicious manner. If you think you or your pet has had an "exposure," please contact the PCSO Animal Control Section at 863.577.1762.