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.

Oct 18, 2016

Third Positive Case of Rabies Confirmed

Media Contact: Carrie Horstman, PIO

The Polk County Sheriff's Office Animal Control Section confirmed today, Tuesday, October 18, 2016, the third positive Rabies case in Polk County for 2016.

On Wednesday, October 12, 2016, a Frostproof man reported that a raccoon attacked his dog in the area of 1526 Scrub Jay Trail in Frostproof. The dog's owner was able to shoot and kill the raccoon.

The PCSO Animal Control Section responded, removed the body, and sent it to the state lab for rabies testing. The raccoon was confirmed positive for rabies by the State Laboratory on Tuesday, October 18th.

The dog's owner was notified of the test results, his dog received a rabies booster, and his dog will be quarantined for 45-180 days.

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.