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.

Nov 18, 2019

15-year-old bitten by raccoon in the 10th case of rabies confirmed in Polk County in 2019

Media Contact: Brian Bruchey, PIO

On Thursday, November 14, 2019, PCSO Animal Control responded to the Providence neighborhood in Davenport, in reference to a 15-year-old boy who was bitten by a sick raccoon.

The boy’s grandmother told Animal Control that he was bitten on the hand after he saw the sick raccoon and he tried to help it.

The raccoon was sent to the state laboratory in Tampa to be tested for rabies, and was confirmed two days later.

The child’s grandmother was notified of the results and she indicated that the boy would be receiving medical treatment for exposure.

“It is imperative that children are told to avoid animals like bats, raccoons, and foxes out in the wild, and let me be clear---these animals are wildlife. If you see one in distress, leave it alone and contact Polk County Animal Control immediately.” -Grady Judd, Sheriff.

So far this year, the ten rabies cases in Polk County have consisted of five bats and five raccoons.

In 2018, there were only three cases of rabies confirmed in Polk County.