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 Alicia Manautou. 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.

Feb 18, 2019

Third positive rabies case confirmed in Polk County

Media Contact: Sherrie Morgan, PIO

The Polk County Sheriff's Office Animal Control Section confirmed on Friday, February 15, 2019, the third positive Rabies case in Polk County for the year.

On Wednesday, February 13, 2019, PCSO received a call that a raccoon had been attacked by two dogs on Lakehurst Street in Lakeland. The raccoon was killed by the dog’s owner.

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office Animal Control impounded the raccoon which was sent for rabies testing and was confirmed positive for rabies today.

Both dogs had been previously vaccinated for rabies. Each dog has been placed into the appropriate 45 day quarantine.

Remember to have your pets vaccinated for rabies and please report animals behaving aggressively.

There were three confirmed rabies cases in Polk County in 2018.