CHENANGO COUNTY – Every ten minutes, rabies claims the life of a person somewhere in the world and nearly 7,000 cases were reported in the United States last year alone.

Sept. 8 is International Rabies Awareness Day and dozens of countries across the globe, along with several veterinarian schools in the U.S., will be mark the occasion with events to create public awareness and halt the spread of the disease.

The Chenango County Department of Public Health will be offering three different rabies clinics over the weekend. Free immunizations will be given today, Friday, at the New Berlin Firehouse from 7 to 8:30 p.m., on Saturday from 8 to 10 a.m. at the North Norwich Firehouse and later that same day from noon to 2 p.m. at the Greene Firehouse.

“It doesn’t cost the owner anything and it helps ensure the health of the animal while also helping to protect the community,” said Jessica Seiler at the Public Health Department.