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Rabid skunks reported in Gloucester

The fourth and fifth positive rabies cases in Gloucester County this year were confirmed in mid-December, said M.B. Sheppard, environmental health supervisor for the local health department and Three Rivers Health District.

The most recent rabies cases involved interaction of skunks with dogs in the Roaring Springs Road area in Gloucester Court House, Sheppard said Dec. 19. Earlier in 2014, a fox and two raccoons had tested positive for rabies here.

Both dogs have current rabies vaccinations, Sheppard said. They were given a booster shot and placed under 45-day observation at their residence.

Chief Animal Control Officer Steve Baranek said that the first incident occurred Dec. 8 on Cedar Lake Drive. The skunk in that incident was caught and euthanized by an animal control officer, with health officials alerting the county on Dec. 10 that the skunk had tested positive for rabies.

In the other incident, he said a skunk was observed going after somebody’s dog on Dec. 16 on Roari...

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