Dog Euthanized After Encounter with Rabid Skunk in Orange County

Orange County has received its third positive rabies test result of the year from the State Laboratory of Public Health, County Animal Services announced Thursday.

This case originated Wednesday when Hillsborough residents witnessed their two dogs playing with a skunk inside the fenced yard, according to a release.

After removing the dogs, the residents called Animal Control to remove the skunk and have it tested for rabies.

Officials say one of the two dogs in the case had to be humanely euthanized over the exposure because it had not been vaccinated against rabies. The pet owners said in an e-mail that the dog was a young puppy who was not old enough to receive the vaccine. The other dog was up to date on its vaccines and received the required booster shot after the incident.

Any domestic cat, dog or ferret that may have been exposed to rabies that is not currently vaccinated must be either euthanized or quarantined for four months at the owner’s expense.

“Prevention is the best measure for effective rabies control for pets and people alike,” Orange County Animal Services director Bob Marotto said in a release. “Ensuring cats, dogs, and ferrets are current on their rabies vaccinations is one of the most important responsibilities of a pet owner, since it can quite literally be the difference between life and death for their pet.”

This is Orange County’ third confirmed case of rabies in 2016; there were 10 cases in 2015, which was down drastically from 23 in 2014.

Raccoon’s are the dominant host species of rabies in our area, but animals like skunks, foxes, dogs, cats and ferrets can contract rabies as part of the “spillover effect.”

Bats are also a host species for rabies in our region.

Orange County Animal Services will hold a low-cost rabies vaccination clinic the afternoon of Thursday, July 21, from three o’clock until five o’clock at the Animal Services Center at 1601 Eubanks Road in Chapel Hill. The cost of the rabies vaccine at these clinics is $10. You can see a full schedule of low-cost rabies vaccination clinics here.