A skunk that exhibited uncoordinated and aggressive behavior east of Parker on Monday had rabies, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office said today.
The finding by the Colorado Department of Public Health marks the arrival of the rabies virus along the fringes of the Denver area and will result in strict enforcement of rabies vaccinations and identification, said the sheriff’s office.
Douglas County ordinances require all dogs to be vaccinated for the rabies virus by a licensed veterinarian and the dogs are required to wear a rabies tag at all times.
Douglas County Animal Services is also recommending that all cats and ferrets be kept current on their rabies vaccinations.
Douglas County authorities said additional precautions to prevent possible exposure to rabies should be taken.
These include immediately reporting all dog, cat or ferret bites or physical contact with a wild animal to your doctor; if a pet is bitten scratched or sprayed by a wild animal contact your veterinarian as soon as possible; and do not let pets, including cats, roam freely.
Officials also said that children should be taught to stay away from all wild or stray animals.
Douglas County Animal Services is partnering with Plum Creek Veterinary Services and Essential Pets to provide low cost rabies vaccinations.
They will conduct a clinic between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. on April 10 at 17930 Cottonwood Dr., Parker.
The vaccinations will cost $22 each.
There were 104 confirmed cases of rabies in Colorado in 2009.Howard Pankratz: 303-954-1939 or hpankratz@denverpost.com
