Dog exposed to rabid skunk in Java

A Java resident reported Oct. 27 that his dog had been bitten by a rabid skunk, according to the Southside Health District environmental health manager.

The dog had been previously vaccinated, so it received a booster shot and is undergoing a 45-day confinement. The skunk was retrieved and sent to the Virginia Department of Health in Richmond for testing.

Dan Richardson, the environmental health manager, said they see several positive rabies samples each year, usually in skunks or raccoons.

“Rabies is endemic in the raccoon population and for that reason we greatly encourage people to vaccinate their dogs and cats,” Richardson said.

If a pet is exposed and has not been vaccinated, “the safe thing to do is to put the animal down,” Richardson said. “We would much rather see (pets) vaccinated prior to being exposed.”