It was the fifth skunk this year to test positive for rabies, after 14 animals tested were identified with the disease in 2021, including a dozen skunks and two raccoons. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, along with SPCAs and humane societies, continue to conduct increased surveillance for animals with rabies. Public health issued a media release Monday, warning residents not to approach any wild animal including those that appear to be in distress, as they may put themselves at risk for injury or contracting an infection such as rabies. Residents were advised to take precautions to protect themselves from the disease by ensuring their dogs and cats have current rabies vaccinations, to prevent their animals from roaming off-leash or unsupervised, and to avoid contact with wild animals. Wildlife such as raccoons exhibiting abnormal behaviour can be reported to SPCA offices, including Lincoln County Humane Society at 905-682-0767, Niagara SPCA at 905-735-1552 and Fort Erie Humane Society at 905-871-2461. An animal with rabies may not display symptoms, and so all bites or scratches, however mild, from an animal must be assessed to ensure the person bitten or scratched is not at risk, public health said. The agency said all animal bites and scratches to humans should be immediately reported to public health at 905-688-8248, ext. 7590. SHARE:
