A skunk in Hurdle Mills tested positive for rabies this week, bringing the county’s total to 21 cases this year.
Animal Services officials say a homeowner north of Hillsborough found a dead skunk in a dog pen on Wednesday and had it removed for testing.
The test came back positive, but luckily the two dogs that may have had contact with the animal were up to date on their rabies vaccinations. Both dogs received boosters as mandated by state law.
Rabies cases have spiked in 2014, with nearly two dozen on record. By contrast, the county reported only 12 cases each in 2013 and 2012. Orange County Animal Services will host low-cost rabies vaccination clinics starting in January 2015.
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