DENVER — Officials with Denver Animal Protection are reminding residents to vaccinate their pets after a rabid raccoon attacked two dogs in the 4600 block of Sherman Street.
Testing confirmed the rabies virus after the raccoon died in the altercation, according to a Friday news release. The dogs involved were reported to have been scratched and bitten, but it’s unknown if they were adequately vaccinated. Animal Control has been unable to locate the dogs.
According to Animal Protection, most Colorado rabies cases are found in skunks and bats, but rabies can also affect other wildlife, as well as pets and livestock. Humans and domestic animals can become infected through contact with wild animals.
Animals that have rabies may show the following signs:
- Displaying confusion, uncharacteristic aggression, or a lack of fear around people
- Staggering, trembling, or weakness
- Nocturnal animals like raccoons, skunks, foxes, and bats may be out during the day
- Bats may be found on the ground, unable to fly
To help protect pets, Denver Animal Shelter offers weekly low-cost rabies vaccinations clinics on Saturdays and Sundays from 9–11 a.m. The cost for a rabies vaccination is $15 per pet. To learn more, visit www.DenverAnimalShelter.org.
