Beaver that attacked girl swimming in Lake Lanier tested positive for rabies

July 12, 2023 at 8:29 am EDT

Beaver bite: File photo. A girl swimming in a Georgia lake was bitten in the leg by a beaver, wildlife officials said. (Sarah A. Miller/Idaho Statesman/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)

(Sarah A. Miller/Idaho Statesman/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)

July 12, 2023 at 8:29 am EDT

HALL COUNTY, Ga. — Hall County officials confirmed that a beaver that bit a young girl swimming in Lake Lanier has tested positive for rabies.

On Saturday, a young girl swimming at Lake Lanier was attacked by a beaver, according to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. Hall County confirmed it was in the Sardis area of the lake in Gainesville.

The girl’s father intervened and beat the beaver to death, according to officials.

The beaver was shipped to the Georgia Public Health Lab Virology section in Decatur on Tuesday, where it tested positive for rabies. Positive alert signs will be posted in the area where the beaver was spotted.

If you live in this area or you see an animal acting abnormally in the area, you are asked to contact Hall County Animal Services at 770-531-6830 or call Hall County Dispatch at 770-536-8812 during non-working hours.

Animal owners are encouraged to vaccinate their domesticated pets for rabies.