Fox with rabies comes into contact with dog in El Paso
A fox with rabies has been found in the El Paso area.
An Animal Services spokesman says that on Dec. 11, Animal Services officers were alerted to an incident in which a dog came into direct contact with a fox.
Animal Services captured the fox and tested it for rabies. The test came back positive for a strain of bat rabies, which is known to be in the El Paso region.
El Paso Animal Services Veterinarian Marilyn Christensen says the positive test should not be a cause for concern, but a reminder to pet owners to vaccinate against the deadly disease.
“In this instance, the dog that came in contact with the fox was vaccinated against rabies which is why the pup is currently in good health,” said Christensen. “If the dog had not been vaccinated, this animal could have undergone a lengthy quarantine as required by the Center for Disease Control.”
Rabies vaccination is one of three requirements for pet owners in the City of El Paso, the other two requirements state that pets must be microchipped and licensed (registered) with the City.
Animal Services also urge pet owners to not leave out pet dishes with food since foxes and other wildlife are drawn to the food. Pet owners are asked to call Animal Services at 3-1-1 if they suspect their animals have come into immediate contact with any wildlife.
