East Worcester, New York Skunk Tests Positive For Rabies
Teri Vazquez, a local farm owner in East Worcester had quite the surprise when she discovered a skunk hassling her owners. It was following them around, refusing to leave them alone. At one point, it was even kicked by one of her horses. Unfazed, it went right back to its business of acting erratically around Vazquez's livestock running around their feet.
This Was Not Pepe Le Pew
Vazquez wound up trapping the critter in a metal trash can and called her the Otsego County Health Department. She was given clearance to transport the live skunk to her vet's office where it was humanely euthanized. The Health Department retrieved the skunk's remains and delivered it to the state laboratory in Guilderland. Today, Vazquez was informed that the skunk tested positive for rabies. Her vet also ventured out to her farm where all of her animals were re-vaccinated for rabies, just to be safe.
Health Department Response
The Otsego County Health Department posted the following statement on the matter:
How to Deal With a Rabid Animal
Don't try to be Steve Irwin. Go ahead and call the experts in. The Humane Society of the United States says:
"If you see a wild animal who may be sick, contact your local animal control, veterinarian or wildlife rehabilitator for help. Don't handle sick wildlife! If anyone is bitten by any wild animal, get medical advice from a doctor or health department immediately. If possible, the animal should be captured and tested for rabies. Unless you can do it without risking further bites, leave this task to animal control professionals."