Rabid skunk infects four pets in Summers County

By Christian Giggenbach
Register-Herald reporter

April 28, 2008 08:26 pm

— HINTON — A rabid skunk in Summers County exposed four unvaccinated pets last week which resulted in three dogs and one cat being euthanized, health officials say.
Summers County sanitarian Chad Meador said the skunk bit two of the animals, sprayed another one, and came in close proximity to the fourth.
“All of which were unvaccinated, so unfortunately these animals were euthanized because of that,” Meador said. “The owners of the pets had the option of strictly quarantining the animals, but they declined to do so.”
Meador said the skunk was the first positive case of rabies detected in Summers County this year. In 2007, the county reported one case and in 2006 there were six cases reported, he said. This latest incident occurred in the Forest Hill area along Seminole Road.
“Rabies can be spread by a skunk which sprays another animal,” Meador said. “We urge all pet owners to have their animals vaccinated for the rabies virus.”