Two more rabid skunks have been found northeast of Fort Collins, the Larimer County Department of Health and Environment said tonight.
The illnesses were confirmed Friday. One skunk was found near the entrance to the Fort Collins Country Club, and the other about two miles north of there.
A second skunk had climbed into a pen and was killed by dogs. Both dogs were up to date on their vaccines, but will get rabies booster shots and remain under observation for 45 days, health officials said.
Another dead skunk was , near LaPorte Avenue, about a half mile from the Foothills Trail on the east ridge overlooking Horsetooth Reservoir.
Larimer County residents are being urged to have pets, horses and other livestock vaccinated — and especially avoid any skunks seen in daylight or otherwise acting strangely.
“I can’t emphasize too strongly how important it is to make sure your animals are vaccinated,” Dr. Adrienne LeBailly, the county’s public health director, said in a statement.
“In Pueblo, where skunk rabies first appeared in late 2010, they’ve already had to euthanize 11 unvaccinated animals. As a pet owner and animal lover, it breaks my heart to see animals have to be destroyed. I know there are a lot of unvaccinated horses in the county.”
Anyone in Larimer County who sees a skunk that might be rabid, should call the Larimer Humane Society at 970-226-3647, extension 7.
