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.

Dec 6, 2019

Eleventh case of rabies confirmed in Polk for 2019

Media Contact: Carrie Horstman, PIO

On Wednesday, December 4, 2019, PCSO Animal Control responded Towering Pines Drive in Lakeland, in reference to a fight between a dog and a raccoon.

The owner of the dachshund separated the two animals and confined the raccoon until Animal Control responded and took it into custody.

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

The dachshund is vaccinated and will remain at home under a 45-day quarantine.

“Here's a great example of responsible pet ownership and why it's so important to keep your pets vaccinated against rabies. If you see a wild animal in distress, or if one of your pets interacts with a wild animal, contact Polk County Animal Control immediately.” -Grady Judd, Sheriff.

So far this year, the 11 rabies cases in Polk County have consisted of five bats and six raccoons.

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