(WHBC) – With seven cases of raccoon rabies reported along and near the Tuscarawas/Carroll County line last year, the Ohio Department of Health working with the U.S. Department of Agriculture is expanding it’s semi-annual Oral Rabies Vaccination program.

Vaccination baits that the animals consume are dropped by plane, helicopter and on foot.

The spring program starts on Sunday and will take a few days.

If the weather is uncooperative, they will work through next Saturday.

There were no raccoons that tested positive in Stark County last year, but the program continues here and in five other eastern Ohio counties.

Four raccoons tested positive for rabies last year in Tuscarawas County, with three in Carroll County

For more on keeping your pets and children safe during the program, here’s a link to the Ohio Department of Health.