Atlantic County briefs
Atlantic County Sheriff Eric Scheffler administered the oath of office to 11 new hires on April 20.
Scheffler stated that he did not hire last year as a result of COVID-19 that caused the day-to-day functions of the courthouses to scale back dramatically. “The need to bring on additional personnel at that time could not be justified,” said Scheffler.
Now that the courts are opening back up, Scheffler felt it necessary to replenish the openings and get his organization back to almost full staff. All new hires are filling open vacancies of officers who either retired or left the agency.
The first rabies case of 2021 in Atlantic County was confirmed last week after a raccoon taken from a property in the 300 block of Sooys Landing Road in Port Republic tested positive.
According to officials with the county, the raccoon was discovered by a homeowner in a chicken coop. The animal had killed several chickens and chased the homeowner when it was approached.
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An investigation conducted by the Atlantic County Division of Public Health determined there were no human or animal exposures.
Officials would like to remind everyone about vaccinating their pets against rabies. In fact, the Atlantic County Animal Shelter is holding its next free rabies vaccination clinics for cats on Sunday, February 28th, and dogs on Sunday, March 14th, from 9AM to noon by appointment, which can be made online.