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| Rabid Dog in Hatfield - Last Update: 4/09 3:08 pm LITTLE ROCK – A family’s pet dog, in Polk Co., has been confirmed rabid by the Oklahoma Department of Health this week. The dog became ill around April 1 or 2 and was aggressive and biting. It progressively declined until it was euthanized and submitted for rabies testing on Friday April 4. Anyone who was bitten by a dog in the area should contact the Polk Co. Health Unit in Mena at (479) 394-2707. The dog ran free (unfenced) and was unvaccinated. The dog had killed a skunk several weeks earlier that undoubtedly was rabid and was the source of rabies to the dog. Other dogs, cats, horses, cattle in the area could also have been bitten by the rabid skunk Rabies is a virus that attacks the brain and spinal cord and is a fatal disease. It is most often seen in animals such as skunks, bats, and foxes. Cats, dogs, ferrets and livestock can also develop rabies, especially if they are not vaccinated. In 2007, Arkansas had 33 rabies positive animals, including 23 skunks, 7 bats, 1 cow, 1 fox and 1 dog. So far in 2008, the state has had 8 skunks, 1 bat, 1 goat, and now 2 dogs test positive for rabies. One of the skunks also was in Polk Co. but in Mena. - CWArkansasNews |